Membership questions? Log in issues? Email info@brewersassociation.org

Author Topic: Adding essential oils  (Read 4750 times)

Offline rjharper

  • Brewmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 646
    • Angry Scotsman Brewing
Adding essential oils
« on: August 15, 2015, 02:25:29 pm »
So SWMBO is into aromatherapy and essential oils, and her latest addition to her collection is pure pine needle oil extract (link below).  Understanding that oil impacts head retention, would adding a few drops to an IPA in late primary add that pine hit (love my piney IPAs), and I can siphon out from under any oil sheen? It smells phenomenal, and I'm pretty sure it's food grade.

http://www.bulkapothecary.com/product/essential-oils/pure-therapeutic-grade/pine-needle-essential-oil/

Offline denny

  • Administrator
  • Retired with too much time on my hands
  • *****
  • Posts: 27092
  • Noti OR [1991.4, 287.6deg] AR
    • Dennybrew
Re: Adding essential oils
« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2015, 02:56:36 pm »
I can't see it being a good flavor, but that's up to you.  Try it in a glass first.
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

www.dennybrew.com

The best, sharpest, funniest, weirdest and most knowledgable minds in home brewing contribute on the AHA forum. - Alewyfe

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

Offline erockrph

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 7788
  • Chepachet, RI
    • The Hop WHisperer
Re: Adding essential oils
« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2015, 08:00:20 pm »
I'd be more inclined to try citrus oil than pine oil for this type of application. Sure, a lot of the pine aroma compounds are similar to what are found in hops. What I'd be worried about are some of the other tar/pitch type compounds.

I like your idea of adding it to late primary. This gives the yeast a chance to potentially metabolize some of the compounds to add some complexity.

Let us know how it turns out if you try it. I have some pure compounds that I've been meaning to try this with myself (linalool, geraniol, alpha- and beta-pinene, citronellol, etc).
Eric B.

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

Offline crynski

  • Cellarman
  • **
  • Posts: 43
Re: Adding essential oils
« Reply #3 on: October 19, 2015, 02:02:20 pm »
I would consider a drop or two in a one gallon experiment first. Though I may try the citrus oil idea myself

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk



Offline reverseapachemaster

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 3777
    • Brain Sparging on Brewing
Re: Adding essential oils
« Reply #5 on: October 19, 2015, 03:43:16 pm »
I would think of them in the same way as dry hopping, in which you are also adding the essential oils from the hops to the beer.
Heck yeah I blog about homebrewing: Brain Sparging on Brewing

Offline Joe Sr.

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4467
  • Chicago - NORTH SIDE
Re: Adding essential oils
« Reply #6 on: October 19, 2015, 03:48:12 pm »
I can't see it being a good flavor, but that's up to you.  Try it in a glass first.

I'm with you, once again.  No spruce beer for me, please.

Also, if you use the "essence of" stuff be aware that a little goes a loooong way. 
It's all in the reflexes. - Jack Burton