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Author Topic: Juniper berries  (Read 14388 times)

Offline yso191

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Juniper berries
« on: October 23, 2013, 04:38:39 pm »
I'm going to brew an IPA on Friday, in which I will use Juniper berries.  According to s cheatsheet I found on using spices in brewing it says to use .2 ounces in five gallons at 60 minutes.  What it doesn't say is whether the berries are whole, cracked, ground or what.  Someone who has used Juniper berries please let me know how you used them and how it turned out.
Steve
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Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Juniper berries
« Reply #1 on: October 23, 2013, 05:12:04 pm »
Have you had a juniper beer before? I tried one a friend made. Based on that example I would say the less you use the better. Zero would be optimum. But that's just me

Offline yso191

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Re: Juniper berries
« Reply #2 on: October 23, 2013, 05:27:00 pm »
Have you had a juniper beer before? I tried one a friend made. Based on that example I would say the less you use the better. Zero would be optimum. But that's just me

Yeah I'm trying to do a clone of Pine in the Neck, brewed by the Blue Moon Brewing Co.  I contacted them and they gave me an ingredient list, but nothing more specific.  I hope I don't end up wasting 5 gallons!
Steve
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Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Juniper berries
« Reply #3 on: October 23, 2013, 05:34:49 pm »
I bet the amount is very little.

Offline yso191

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Re: Juniper berries
« Reply #4 on: October 23, 2013, 08:24:11 pm »
Can you describe the flavor that you found objectionable?  2/10ths of an ounce is pretty small - especially if left as whole berries.
Steve
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“Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions.” ― G.K. Chesterton

Offline yso191

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Re: Juniper berries
« Reply #5 on: October 23, 2013, 08:51:02 pm »
According to my online research the consensus is that Juniper berries impart a piney, resinous and slightly sweet flavor.  This is what I am looking for - a compliment to piney, resinous hops.  A few sites say that one can use up to an ounce (!) in five gallons at 15 minutes.  Everyone that I read recommends crushing the berries.

I am still open to input...  up to Friday noon anyway.
Steve
BJCP #D1667

“Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions.” ― G.K. Chesterton

Offline erockrph

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Re: Juniper berries
« Reply #6 on: October 23, 2013, 09:45:19 pm »
Maybe brew a 1-gallon test batch first? I've kicked around the thought before, but never went ahead with it. Keep us posted on your results.
Eric B.

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Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Juniper berries
« Reply #7 on: October 24, 2013, 03:11:12 am »
Can you describe the flavor that you found objectionable?  2/10ths of an ounce is pretty small - especially if left as whole berries.
It's probably just me but juniper always smells of cat box to me.

Offline fmader

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Re: Juniper berries
« Reply #8 on: October 24, 2013, 04:02:27 am »
It's probably just me but juniper always smells of cat box to me.

Rock the cat box.... Rock the cat box
Frank

Offline erockrph

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Re: Juniper berries
« Reply #9 on: October 24, 2013, 07:24:28 am »
Can you describe the flavor that you found objectionable?  2/10ths of an ounce is pretty small - especially if left as whole berries.
It's probably just me but juniper always smells of cat box to me.

Maybe the neighborhood kitties are using your bushes to do their business. When I smell juniper berries all I smell is gin.
Eric B.

Finally got around to starting a homebrewing blog: The Hop Whisperer

Offline kramerog

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Re: Juniper berries
« Reply #10 on: October 24, 2013, 07:53:30 am »
Cracked.  That's how I use it in cooking.

Offline denny

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Re: Juniper berries
« Reply #11 on: October 24, 2013, 09:34:51 am »
Have you had a juniper beer before? I tried one a friend made. Based on that example I would say the less you use the better. Zero would be optimum. But that's just me

Agreed.  I feel the same way about spruce.
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Offline Jeff M

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Re: Juniper berries
« Reply #12 on: October 24, 2013, 06:26:01 pm »
why dont you put them in whole and then before fermentation test the beer, if its not juniper enough for you then put some cracked one in secondary? 2c
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Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: Juniper berries
« Reply #13 on: October 24, 2013, 06:41:03 pm »
Have you had a juniper beer before? I tried one a friend made. Based on that example I would say the less you use the better. Zero would be optimum. But that's just me

Agreed.  I feel the same way about spruce.
Agreed on both counts.  Not a fan of either.
Jon H.

Offline punatic

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Re: Juniper berries
« Reply #14 on: October 24, 2013, 08:11:16 pm »
+1 on juniper berries belonging in the gin basket with the rest of the gin botanicals, cassia, orange peel, angelica, anise, and coriander.  At least that's my lineup at this point, but I'm still fine tuning it.
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