Exploring The Tastes of Beer – Using Extracts
Once you have mastered regular beer brewing you may want to branch out and explore other beer tastes. You can easily use extracts to add special flavors to your next batch of beer. These specialty beers can be fun and interesting to make and taste. When experimenting with beer recipes be sure that you always write down your exact measurements for each particular batch. That way you can be sure to duplicate it exactly if it turns out well.
The best type of beer you can use to add flavorings to is a moderate, light grain beer. Often a wheat-based beer provides the perfect simple backdrop for the addition of other flavorings. The alcohol content of these beers is generally low, making the beer tasty and refreshing. Be sure to adjust your recipe accordingly whether you use actual fruit juice or extract as this may change your outcome.
Fruit Extracts
The most common extracts used in beer brewing are fruits. Traditionally fruit juices and extracts have been added to regional beers based on the availability of the local fruit. Adding fruit to the mixture changes the recipe and the way the beer ferments. Fruit juices typically add sugar to the recipe, which will change the way fermentation takes place. You may need to adjust your other ingredients. As you begin to use fruit juices, start with a tested recipe. This will help ensure that your mixture will work correctly.
Cherry – Adds a deep flavor to the beer with notes of cherry. The color may very from deep red to dark reddish brown.
Raspberry – Notes of raspberry flavor make this beer a tasty treat. It often takes on a reddish color.
Peach – Peach extract will add a delightful flavor to beer, making it a refreshing summer beer.
Blackcurrant – Blackcurrant will add a dark, deep berry flavor undertone to the beer. The color of the blackcurrant will darken the color of the beer.
Spices
Another common addition to beer is spice. Certain spices are commonly used to flavor beer, many of them in addition to fruit flavors. The most common of spices are coriander, orange peel, cumin, cardamom and grains of paradise. These types of spiced beers are often served with a lemon slice.
Author: Graham Williams
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Solar panel DIY