[FunkyMonkey]

Im in the process of planning a steam beer and the hops should give a sorta of minty aroma off of it(this is what I've read.) I like the sound of a twist of mint, so i was wondering if putting a few mint leaves at the end of a boil will push a minty smell.

[Iliff Ave]

I used mint in combination with northern brewer some time ago but it was not for a steam beer. I don't remember the result which means any impact from the mint was probably minimal. If you pursue this, I would go very light on the mint and throw it in at the end of the boil.

[FunkyMonkey]

Thats what I thought, I just didn't want to go to crazy and make it taste like a stick of gum.

[denny]

Im in the process of planning a steam beer and the hops should give a sorta of minty aroma off of it(this is what I've read.) I like the sound of a twist of mint, so i was wondering if putting a few mint leaves at the end of a boil will push a minty smell.

I'd advise you to find an anchor and try it first.  You might be surprised at how there's really no mint flavor.

[Iliff Ave]

Thats what I thought, I just didn't want to go to crazy and make it taste like a stick of gum.

Exactly. Maybe mix some fresh chopped mint with the hops for a late addition? As far as amounts I am not really sure but maybe keep it close to 1/4 oz to be safe.

Another option would be making a tincture with vodka and adding it at packaging. You will be able to control its impact much easier this way...

[reverseapachemaster]

I think of Perle and Triple Perle as more minty than Northern Brewer but IMO none have a distinct mint flavor that appears in the beer.

If you are going to use mint be sparing with your addition. A little mint goes a long way. Also be mindful of the type of mint you are using. Some, like chocolate mint, have an assertive menthol character that might taste more like a menthol cigarette than mint.

[FunkyMonkey]

i think the tincture might be a way to experiment with, its fresh grown mint in my garden so I think the flavor of it should be alright

[Iliff Ave]

Keep us posted on your impressions of the final beer. I find mint to be an interesting ingredient in beer. It is probably better that it wasn't noticeable in my beer as I had a lot of other things going on ingredient-wise.

[FunkyMonkey]

I'll keep this posted

[erockrph]

Im in the process of planning a steam beer and the hops should give a sorta of minty aroma off of it(this is what I've read.) I like the sound of a twist of mint, so i was wondering if putting a few mint leaves at the end of a boil will push a minty smell.

I'd advise you to find an anchor and try it first.  You might be surprised at how there's really no mint flavor.

+1 - I've gotten some of that "mint" character from certain hops, but it's not like spearmint or peppermint. It's more of an herbal thing - reminds me more of Ricola cough drops or horehound candy. And I get none of from the Anchor in my hand right now. The bittering has a nice bite to it, and there is some herbal hop character, but the flavor is primarily driven by pale malt and fermentation character.

[HoosierBrew]

Im in the process of planning a steam beer and the hops should give a sorta of minty aroma off of it(this is what I've read.) I like the sound of a twist of mint, so i was wondering if putting a few mint leaves at the end of a boil will push a minty smell.

I'd advise you to find an anchor and try it first.  You might be surprised at how there's really no mint flavor.

+1 - I've gotten some of that "mint" character from certain hops, but it's not like spearmint or peppermint. It's more of an herbal thing - reminds me more of Ricola cough drops or horehound candy. And I get none of from the Anchor in my hand right now. The bittering has a nice bite to it, and there is some herbal hop character, but the flavor is primarily driven by pale malt and fermentation character.

+2.  It's not a spearmint/peppermint character. I think you'll like your beer a whole lot better without using any mint.  My $0.02.

[klickitat jim]

I guess it depends on if the OP is trying to clone Steam, or enter a Cal Common in a contest, or just have fun with a beer.

Personally, I find no mint in Steam either but I understand what the guidelines author was trying to say. Its just part of the problem with trying to explain certain beer characteristics by comparison to other things. Its sort of like mint, but its exactly like NB hops. 

[brewinhard]

Yeah, when I brew with Norther Brewer hops I get a woodsy/herbal/slight minty-ness (word?).  But as Hoosier stated definitely not a peppermint thing, more like earthy woodsy. 

[HoosierBrew]

And I wasn't trying to discourage somebody from experimenting with ingredients or techniques - I do it all the time. But aside from the Stone chocolate mint stout that was arguably pretty decent, every other mint beer I've tried was not something I'd want more than one of, if that. Doesn't mean somebody shouldn't try it to see what they think, though.

[BrewArk]

510 brewing made a killer peppermint porter at Christmas time a few years back.  At first it didn't sound appealing to me.  But when I tasted it - WOW!  So I too approve of experimentation.