[jrhomebrewing]

Has anyone tried brewing with chestnuts? I was just brain storming on what to brew for xmas and chestnuts came to mind this time of the year. I am wanting to brew something dark and I dont know how to incorporate chestnuts. What do you guys think of this idea and how to use them so you will be able to taste them? Im thinking maybe a brow ale.

[Black Lion Homebrewery]

Brooklyn Brew Shop has a 1 gallon recipe kit for a chestnut brown ale added at the beginning of the boil. The recipe is good but I don't know how it tastes with chestnuts.  I couldn't get them at the time so I used pecans instead. 

https://brooklynbrewshop.com/pages/instructions-chestnut-brown-ale

[brewinhard]

English style brown ale with toasted chestnuts in mash? You may have to add more later as fermentation slows down too for best flavor.

[jrhomebrewing]

How many lbs of chestnuts do you think i need in the mash? And in the boil? will you be able to taste the chestnuts at all?

[brewinhard]

How many lbs of chestnuts do you think i need in the mash? And in the boil? will you be able to taste the chestnuts at all?

I am not sure. But maybe start with a pound in the mash (pre-toasted and crushed up right before doughing in?)

[jrhomebrewing]

I was thinking more into the secondary or the boil. Do you guys think I will be able to taste them? I was looking at the price of chestnuts and they are 10$ a bag and i bet its only a LB.

[Philbrew]

I thought chestnuts were functually extinct. ??

[Philbrew]

I thought chestnuts were functually extinct. ??

Whoops!  A little google research tells me that the original American Chestnut was largely wiped out by a blight fungus but Asian and European chestnut trees have a resistant gene and have been cross-bred with remaining American trees.  Most chestnuts are imported but American trees are slowly coming back.  "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire" may again be a holiday reality.  Holiday Cheers!