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Author Topic: Adding spices during fermentation  (Read 2231 times)

Offline Jhoag

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Adding spices during fermentation
« on: January 22, 2017, 07:47:57 pm »
So, this is my first post and tried to search but couldn't find anything. Sorry, I may have just missed it.

I'm brewing my first beer where I add ingredients after primary fermentation. I'm looking at adding some diced habaneros and some cacao nibs. I'm supposed to steep for 3-5 days.

My questions is, should I just put the spices straight into the carboy or do I disinfect a steeping bag and place the entire bag in?

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Offline Stevie

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Re: Adding spices during fermentation
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2017, 07:58:24 pm »
I'd say it depends on your racking skills. A bag will help separate the additions when you package, but isn't fully needed IMO

Offline Jhoag

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Re: Adding spices during fermentation
« Reply #2 on: January 22, 2017, 09:43:10 pm »
Ok cool. I'll try it without the bag this time and see if I don't get too much in the bottles.

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Offline Stevie

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Re: Adding spices during fermentation
« Reply #3 on: January 22, 2017, 09:55:05 pm »
You could also make a tincture with high proof booze and add that.

Offline kramerog

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Re: Adding spices during fermentation
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2017, 07:41:31 am »
I typically don't bag the spices, but I usually bag the racking can.  Some spices are really good at clogging bottle fillers.

Offline erockrph

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Re: Adding spices during fermentation
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2017, 09:48:24 am »
I typically don't bag the spices, but I usually back the racking can.  Some spices are really good at clogging bottle fillers.
Same here. I zip-tie a knee-high ladies stocking to my auto-siphon. You should see the look on the clerk's face at CVS when I buy a pack of nylons and a pack of zip-ties together!  ;)
Eric B.

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Offline Jhoag

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Re: Adding spices during fermentation
« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2017, 04:53:48 pm »
Sweet. I'll try it that way instead just for safe measure. Thanks for all the input. Much appreciated.

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Offline hopfenundmalz

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Re: Adding spices during fermentation
« Reply #7 on: January 24, 2017, 06:07:20 am »
A 5 gallon paint strainer bag from the big box hardware store will fit over the cane and stick out the neck of the carboy. Those are cheap too.
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Offline Jhoag

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Re: Adding spices during fermentation
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2017, 09:03:48 pm »
So I bottled today. I had an extra steeping bag so I put it over my racking cane with a ziptie. Seemed to work really well. Not much at the bottom of the bottling bucket.

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