pumpkin ale swap

[ben the brewman]

we should have a fall pumpkin ale swap. anybody interested?
Here is the list of the people that are in on the swap so far. the dead line for sending the beers out is December 15.

ben the brewman
adrock
Diver Down
shrekfx
JXLT
davebl

[Lerxst]

What are you thinking...common recipe/common style? whatever goes?

[adrock]

I'm interested, but mine won't be ready for a month.

[ben the brewman]

What are you thinking...common recipe/common style? whatever goes?

its just a thought. i think it should be anything goes as long as its a pumpkin beer or even pumpkin spiced beer. the date to send them off would be later mabey like some time in dec. let me know what you guys think im sure there will only be like 3 or 4 people doing it any way.

[Diver Down]

I was thinking about brewing some kind of Pumpkin Ale. A swap sounds great. I need to get my ass in gear if some time in Dec. is the swap.

[ben the brewman]

ok so lets make it offical the pumpkin ale swap is going to be December the 15. you need to send two 12oz bottles of you beer to your swap partner. the only thing the beer needs to be is pumpkin ale no set base style. if we have enough people we will have 2 swap partners each.

[ben the brewman]

oh yea im in.

[adrock]

I'm in for sure.

[Diver Down]

O.K. just put in my order to Rebel Brewer "PLUG PLUG". Gona brew up a Pumpkin Ale when FedUp brings my goodies. Have no frigging idea how it's gona turn out. It's an off the wall recipe. We will see, so I guess you can count me in. :D

[shrekfx]

Im in.. but im warning you... you'll probly get a smashed pumpkin tasting ale.. :p

[ben the brewman]

Im in.. but im warning you... you'll probly get a smashed pumpkin tasting ale.. :p

im sure it will be fine.

[salad 419]

I'd love to be in, but I don't know when I'll get the chance to brew again. And of course, there's a few beers I'd like to do before that one.

I think I'll have to sit this one out, but if things change, I'll let you know.

OH, and one other question if I do get a chance. Can I cheat and use Sweet Potatoes instead of Pumpkin? I've read numerous threads that they taste similar in beer. I've got a big can of Yams just staring at me.

[davebl]

I'm in. My pumpkin ale is mashing right now.

[JXLT]

I'm in...Thinking bout a Punkin' Porter

[ben the brewman]

OH, and one other question if I do get a chance. Can I cheat and use Sweet Potatoes instead of Pumpkin? I've read numerous threads that they taste similar in beer. I've got a big can of Yams just staring at me.

sure why not you can call it a imposter pumpkin ale. it will have the pumpkin spice and taste almost exactly the same any way

[adrock]

Brewed mine up last night, and it smelled and tasted great. Fermenting now.

[shrekfx]

1 week to go to get my brew going... i've never thought of tasting the wort.. one would think that would taste wierd.

[ben the brewman]

1 week to go to get my brew going... i've never thought of tasting the wort.. one would think that would taste wierd.

the wort taste very sweet and bitter at the same time. kinda like a sweet tea with hops not the best thing in the world but not bad.

[JXLT]

Can I cheat and use Sweet Potatoes instead of Pumpkin? I've read numerous threads that they taste similar in beer. I've got a big can of Yams just staring at me.

You should try Lazy Magnolia Jefferson Stout...it's made with sweet potatoes. Gives it a nice body and smoothness in a sweet stout.

[shrekfx]

I'd love to be in, but I don't know when I'll get the chance to brew again. And of course, there's a few beers I'd like to do before that one.

I think I'll have to sit this one out, but if things change, I'll let you know.

OH, and one other question if I do get a chance. Can I cheat and use Sweet Potatoes instead of Pumpkin? I've read numerous threads that they taste similar in beer. I've got a big can of Yams just staring at me.

You should check the new BYO mag, if im not mistaken, there is a sweet potato ale recipe in there. LOL

[Diver Down]

Just did a gravity reading on Pumpkin Ale. Had a real good taste.:D

[shrekfx]

I should be doing a gravity test today, see how close i am to the FG and about ready to move to the secondary.

[JXLT]

Hopefully I'll be bottling the Punkin' Porter one day this week. The swap is Dec. 15th, right?

[shrekfx]

Just bottled my pumpkin ale today.. tasted it and tasted dry but good.. cant wait to see how it turns out.. just 4 weeks to go. :)

[JXLT]

I kegged the Chocolate Pumpkin Porter today and was very disappointed in the flavor. The ABV is noticeable in this brew which isn't a problem but to me it's way too malty and sweet. The spices accentuate the sweetness too. Hopefully it will mellow out a little bit.

[ben the brewman]

i bottled mine off of the keg yesterday so i hope they are carbed when you guys get them.

[JXLT]

That's my plan too...I tasted a small sample this morning and the sweetness is starting to subside a lil bit. So hopefully no one will puke after trying it.

[shrekfx]

same here.. hope no one gets sick and dies.. LOL.. but so far.. not exploding bottles. so thats good.

[JXLT]

Dry I could handle. Mine is way too sweet

[JXLT]

This is turning into the beer from hell. For some strange reason the taste is better but now there's no carbonation. Any suggestions?

[ben the brewman]

let it sit

[shrekfx]

This is turning into the beer from hell. For some strange reason the taste is better but now there's no carbonation. Any suggestions?


how long since you kegged it? I've been tasting my pumpkin ale from brew to bottle and the flav is diff everytime.. First taste had a big twang to it, that was after 1 week primary, racked to secondary and after about 2 weeks there, a bit sweet, but dry.. then after 1 week in bottle, dry, not sweet no more, but very good.. 3 weeks to go and i think its going to fricken outstanding. :)

just let it sit.. im sure it will be fine, if not,, just send me your keg and i'll drink it for ya. :)

[JXLT]

It's been in the keg about 10 days now.

[JXLT]

Ok...maybe I was wrong. Kegged it on the 26th. So a lil bit over a week

[shrekfx]

Ok...maybe I was wrong. Kegged it on the 26th. So a lil bit over a week

and when was the last time you took a taste? right at kegging? and how did you carb it.. I take it force carbed with co2?

[JXLT]

Nope...I primed it instead of force carbing it. If it doesn't take off in a few days though I'll hook it up to the CO2 and force carb it. I prefer the taste of naturally carbed beer but force carbing is guaranteed to work when nothing else will.

[JXLT]

It's hooked up to the CO2 at 10 psi. Hopefully It will be good to go in a few days. I think I had a clogged dip tube.

[shrekfx]

I was told it could take up to 3 weeks to carb though. Hope yours won't be over carbed.

[JXLT]

Did they say why it would take so long?

[Metabolic]

Ok, well I'm going to taste my pumpkin ale in a week, and if it's ok, I might send it out, if it's not too expensive. I am in Canada after all.

[shrekfx]

well now here comes the hard part.. letting the brew sit so i can get it shipped out.. Thats going to be touch, i'm going to want to drink it all up.

[ben the brewman]

i have 2 different ones ready to go.

[shrekfx]

Hey when do find out who we are shipping to and when does the shipping start?

[ben the brewman]

Lets say the sign up deadline is the 20th of this month. That will give everybody time to join if they still want to and plenty of time to ship everything out too. I will get the partners after the 20th

[shrekfx]

Cool.. cuz all my beer is going to be gone soon.. :)

[Diver Down]

I'm in Guys!:cool:

[shrekfx]

How many brews we looking at sending? Just need to know so i can go hide them down in my storage area before i drink them all.. Might even send out an Amber ale out with it to that lucky person.. Who knows... ;)

[ben the brewman]

You need to send 2 12oz bottles to each person. You will be sending to a total of 2 people so you will need a grand total of 4 12oz bottles.

[shrekfx]

o.k. cool.. just moved my beers so i wont drink them . :)

[ben the brewman]

OK, here's the list. the names under your name are your recipients.


Ben the brewman-
JXLT
Diver Down

Adrock-
Diver Down
Shrekfx

Shrekfx-
Ben the brewman
Adrock

Diver Down-
Ben the brewman
JXLT


JXLT-
Shrekfx
Adrock

[davebl]

No one send me anything!

My pumpkin ale turned out bad. really bad. Dont know if it was some kind of infection, or temp issue, or what, but it was down right bad.

I just PM'd Ben that I am the asshole who forgot about the swap, and forgot to pull my name from it after crafting 5 gallons of bad.

[ben the brewman]

new list

OK, here's the list. the names under your name are your recipients.



Ben the brewman-
JXLT
Diver Down

Adrock-
Diver Down
Shrekfx

Shrekfx-
Ben the brewman
Adrock

Diver Down-
Ben the brewman
JXLT


JXLT-
Shrekfx
Adrock

[Diver Down]

new list

OK, here's the list. the names under your name are your recipients.



Ben the brewman-
JXLT
Diver Down

Adrock-
Diver Down
Shrekfx

Shrekfx-
Diver Down
Adrock

Diver Down-
Ben the brewman
JXLT


JXLT-
Ben the brewman
Adrock

:confused::confused:Did I luck up or what? Do I get 3 boxes of Pumpkin Ale?:confused::confused::confused:

[shrekfx]

I think it is messed up.. I see my name on there one time for receiving.. typo i guess

[ben the brewman]

Ok sorry guys i dont know what the hell i was doing. The list is updated and correct now. Sorry. Please pm your partners to get shipping info.

[ben the brewman]

Im going to be sending my beers out next week. So keep a eye out.

[shrekfx]

I'll be sending mine out on the 3rd. to much crap going on this week.

[JXLT]

Hopefully mine will go out around the 30th or the 1st. That's the plan anyway.

[shrekfx]

im just waiting for my stupid payday from my back surgery.. damn disibilty checks...

[ben the brewman]

Has everybody contacted their swap partners and got everything squared away?

[salad 419]

SHIT, I never brewed this.

Sorry guys, I'll get in on another swap.

[ben the brewman]

Thats ok you never made it to the list so no worries

[shrekfx]

who's kimber?

[Vonstigler]

Looks like he copied your post there Shrek, word for mis-spelled word:D
Probably someone trying to sell koozies from the looks of it.

[JXLT]

I received Diver's Pumpkin Wheat today. I immediately put it in the fridge so it would be cool for me this afternoon when I got off work. To put it mildly, I was amazed. I usually don't care for wheat beer. It's something about the banana esters associated with the yeast strain I guess. However, this beer totally changed my perception. It poured a hazy straw color into a Windmer pint glass. Nice thick fluffy head as you would expect. The initial aroma was a slight banana with quite a bit of clove. The taste picked up where the aroma left off with a nice smooth pumpkin pie spice flavor( cinnamon, allspice, clove) that lingered for a moment then finished cleanly. It was probably one of the best wheat beers I've ever had. Definitely 2 thumbs up. Great job Diver.:k2::k:

[ben the brewman]

I recived divers beers today and they are in the fridge chillin.

[JXLT]

DEFINITELY A SOLID BEER

[Diver Down]

Glad you liked it! First pumpkin ale I've brewed. And I like wheat beers.

[ben the brewman]

Im a big wheat beer fan too and never thought of doing a pumpkin wheat before. If you like wheats you should try some of the yeast that i cultured from here in memphis. It made a good wheat with a nice light sourness great for a hot day. Here is the critique on your pumpkin wheat http://www.homebrewchatter.com/board/f47/diver-downs-pumpkin-wheat-review-t8001/#post101990

[ben the brewman]

The beers im sending out are listed here. The one with the blackend cap is a pretty strong spiced pumpkin ale, the other is a different version of a pumpkin ale less spicy and mostly flat. Im sending out a vanilla oaked porter to make up for the ones that have low carbonation. The beers are being sent out on Wednesday and i will pm you a tracking number.

[shrekfx]

I'll be sending mine out tomorrow.. What size box works best for these? and do you just bubble wrap the bottles?

[shrekfx]

Well just shipped my brews out. Ben and ad should be getting it on tuesday.. but damn, shipping really kills ya dont it.. I thought microsoft was bad, think ups is worse.. :|

[ben the brewman]

Im not 100% sure but one of my partners might have got a beer that was not a pumpkin ale. Let me know if thats the case

[shrekfx]

Im not 100% sure but one of my partners might have got a beer that was not a pumpkin ale. Let me know if thats the case

Bad ben.. Bad!! :o

[Diver Down]

Got in this morning and Ben's beers were on my porch. Got them sitting in the refrigerator. I may pop a top this evening. I love the box and packing... :D

[Steve Urquell]

Well just shipped my brews out. Ben and ad should be getting it on tuesday.. but damn, shipping really kills ya dont it.. I thought microsoft was bad, think ups is worse.. :|

Yeah, UPS gigged me for $15 to send 5 beers to davebl, and we're in the same state.

[Diver Down]

Yeah, UPS gigged me for $15 to send 5 beers to davebl, and we're in the same state.

Every morning UPS updates it's rates. Rising gas prices, Holidays, Etc.
Any way that they can gouge you in the arse! One way you can save is to send to a business address rather than a residential address.

[shrekfx]

how do you send it to a business address? Or I guess we can just ask for the business address. Still not right.. Wish you can just ship these usps.. Sucky..

[JXLT]

Shrek USPS priority mail 10.00 for anything up to 70 lbs that will fit in the box

[ben the brewman]

Shrek USPS priority mail 10.00 for anything up to 70 lbs that will fit in the box

Its illegal to ship beer through usps. Does anybody have any reviews of the beers that the recived yet.

[shrekfx]

Its illegal to ship beer through usps. Does anybody have any reviews of the beers that the recived yet.

I know its illegal. That's why I said I wish.

[Diver Down]

I popped the black top and the first thing I noticed was No carbonation. Poured with no head had a slight taste of pumpkin with little spice if any. The next one was the unmarked cap. Was only 3/4 full
don't know if it leaked or what. May be why the bottles were sticky. Also no carbonation. Less pumpkin if at all than the first. Picked up no spice flavors. Tasted more like a Brown Ale. "This one may not be a Pumpkin Ale". The winner was the Vanilla Oaked Porter. Poured with a nice tan head. Jet black beer. Slight Vanilla aroma, very sight oaked flavor. Really enjoyed this one.

[ben the brewman]

Sorry about that i have no idea what happened with them but i knew that one would be low on carbonation thats why i included the porter. Glad you like the one

[JXLT]

Well I guess I broke a few federal laws then. Anyway. I've tried two of Ben's beers. The first one was the Vanilla Oaked Porter:
It poured a dark murky brown color with a thin tan head that stuck around for the entire glass. The aroma was dominated by vanilla and licorice. Warming alcohol notes with the flavors primarily of bourbon and roasted coffee. The mouthfeel was full-bodied and satisfying.

The second one I tried was the black lid. I didn't have a problem with the carbonation as I was told to expect. The flavor was dominated by pumpkin pie spice with the clove flavors really standing out. Overall impression was like a fizzy cinnamon hefeweizen. Nothing complex but not bad at all.

[shrekfx]

Well those who are sapose to get my pumpkin ales should be getting them today.. Hopefully and stupid me misplaced the tracking numbers. probably still in the car. Let me know when you get them though.

[ben the brewman]

got mine today. i will try them later this week.

[shrekfx]

woohoo.. well glad they didnt break. :)

[adrock]

Got JXLT's beers a couple days ago, but haven't tried them yet. I haven't shipped mine yet...been crazy busy. I will ship them out tomorrow.

[ben the brewman]

shrekfx pumpkin ale

Beer is cloudy in appearance but has a nice light copper color. Pours a nice white head that stays throughout the entire beer. Aroma has a little bit of spices to it but no pumpkin and a very prominent metallic aroma to it. The carbonation is good but the flavor has a strong metallic taste to it. I dont really pickup the pumpkin or spices in the taste. Overall this beer is could use more pumpkin flavor and aroma and see if you can get the metallic taste out of it.

[Niedermier]

shrekfx pumpkin ale

Beer is cloudy in appearance but has a nice light copper color. Pours a nice white head that stays throughout the entire beer. Aroma has a little bit of spices to it but no pumpkin and a very prominent metallic aroma to it. The carbonation is good but the flavor has a strong metallic taste to it. I dont really pickup the pumpkin or spices in the taste. Overall this beer is could use more pumpkin flavor and aroma and see if you can get the metallic taste out of it.

IIRC, this was Shrek's first brew. Not sure if he used pre hopped extract but the only time I ever brewed with it I got some pretty severe metallic flavors/aromas.

[JXLT]

It sounds like Shrek's first brew turned out much better than mine. My first 2 brews were terrible. However, I imagine if I would have had a group of guys to share info with like we do on here I would have probably never quit brewing when I did. Although I didn't really care for my Pumpkin Porter it was still somewhat drinkable and my first AG batch. Before joining hbc I would have never had the balls to try something like a pumpkin porter or even my first AG batch. :k:

[shrekfx]

shrekfx pumpkin ale

Beer is cloudy in appearance but has a nice light copper color. Pours a nice white head that stays throughout the entire beer. Aroma has a little bit of spices to it but no pumpkin and a very prominent metallic aroma to it. The carbonation is good but the flavor has a strong metallic taste to it. I dont really pickup the pumpkin or spices in the taste. Overall this beer is could use more pumpkin flavor and aroma and see if you can get the metallic taste out of it.

Hmm wonder where the metallic taste came from.. That one kinda baffles me. And surprised you didnt pick out the pumpkin. I guess if there is a metallic taste that could be over powering it. I know I didnt use a lot, I just wanted a hint of it..

Where do you think the metallic taste came from? I didnt use anything mettle besides the SS pot, all else was plastic.

[shrekfx]

It sounds like Shrek's first brew turned out much better than mine. My first 2 brews were terrible. However, I imagine if I would have had a group of guys to share info with like we do on here I would have probably never quit brewing when I did. Although I didn't really care for my Pumpkin Porter it was still somewhat drinkable and my first AG batch. Before joining hbc I would have never had the balls to try something like a pumpkin porter or even my first AG batch. :k:

LOL.. I loved your porter, it was really good.

I do wish I still had a couple of my pumpkin ales to taste again. I might have to hide one of my irish reds..

[Niedermier]

Hmm wonder where the metallic taste came from.. That one kinda baffles me. And surprised you didnt pick out the pumpkin. I guess if there is a metallic taste that could be over powering it. I know I didnt use a lot, I just wanted a hint of it..

Where do you think the metallic taste came from? I didnt use anything mettle besides the SS pot, all else was plastic.

See my post above. Did you use hopped extract? I had a similar metallic thing happening when I used it.

[shrekfx]

Nope. It was non-hopped liquid extract, pellet hops, steeped grains, wyeast activator, and priming sugar at the end. with pumpkin, Cinnamon and nutmeg and i think allspice (cant remember on the allspice)

[JXLT]

Appreciate that Shrek. It's growing on me some. I drank about 5-6 pints last night while grilling some wings. IMO it's better straight from the keg.

[ben the brewman]

the taste was like sucking on a penny it was very strong. i will try the other tpnight and let you know if tastes the same

[shrekfx]

the taste was like sucking on a penny it was very strong. i will try the other tpnight and let you know if tastes the same

wow that is just weird.. being laid on the side wouldnt do anything with the beer making contact with the cap would it?

[ben the brewman]

I just tried the other one today and it has the same metallic taste to it. No idea what causes it but im sure it has nothing to do with the beer contacting the cap during shipping.

[shrekfx]

That just kinda of baffles me. I thought it might be the water. But on the pumpkin ale I used spring water. My other two batches were tap water. Now when I had one of the others, I thought I started to taste a metallic taste to it, so it must be something that is coming in contact with all 3 batches. I would guess it wouldnt be the SS pot, the star san isnt sapose to give off off flavors. Other then that, only other things I've used are a plastic spoon and a wire wisk and thats it. Kinda bummed out that it didnt taste like it did after 4 weeks in the bottle cuz it tasted awesome then.

[JXLT]

I just read that oxidation in the wort can possibly give it a metallic taste in some instances. Was this the beer that you thought you pitched your yeast at the wrong temp? If so, HSA is a possibility, especially if you aerated your wort while it was still above pitching temp.

[shrekfx]

You know that could be cuz I've been using the same thermometer on all batches and it was reading wrong so I think i was pitching to high. And all 3 ended up having a small metallic taste to it so that could be it maybe?

[adrock]

I'm just going to steal ben's commentary and modify as appropriate...so don't be surprised when the format of the two reviews look similar.

shrekfx pumpkin ale
Beer is cloudy in appearance (though expected of a vegetable beer IMO) and has a beautiful copper color. Did not get great head retention, but I poured it slowly in order to avoid yeast in the beer. Subtle spice aroma, nothing else (including the absence of a metallic aroma). Beer was overcarbed, but that is likely due to the fact that I poured it like a sissy and left alot of CO2 in solution. The high carb level gives this beer a little carbonic bite, but other than that it's fairly tasty. I'm not tasting any hops, but I don't see that as a bad thing in this beer. Definitely drinkable. My non-scientific overall grade of this beer? B-.

Thanks for the beers buddy! I hope the feedback is helpful.

[Diver Down]

adrock's Pumpkin Ale
Found my box yesterday and pop a top today. Was planning on having one today and wait till tomorrow for the next one. But I'm sitting here with the second one in my glass.:o I'm no beer connoisseur or beer snob. I just drink what I like. And I like this one. The first thing I noticed was the head. Nice rich and creamy. Started at 1 1/2" down to 1/8" with nice lacing on my glass.
The pumpkin is not strong and the spices are not too strong. I can almost say
perfect but I'm going to say that.:) I think that this recipe is a keeper and that the people you share this beer with are lucky people.

[adrock]

adrock's Pumpkin Ale
Found my box yesterday and pop a top today. Was planning on having one today and wait till tomorrow for the next one. But I'm sitting here with the second one in my glass.:o I'm no beer connoisseur or beer snob. I just drink what I like. And I like this one. The first thing I noticed was the head. Nice rich and creamy. Started at 1 1/2" down to 1/8" with nice lacing on my glass.
The pumpkin is not strong and the spices are not too strong. I can almost say
perfect but I'm going to say that.:) I think that this recipe is a keeper and that the people you share this beer with are lucky people.

Thanks for the kind words. When I first kegged this beer I wasn't a big fan. And by "wasn't a big fan" I mean it tasted god awful. Over the past month or so though, it's steadily gotten better. Moral of the story? Don't drink vegetable and/or spice beers green!

[shrekfx]

Mine came fri but wasnt home. had a friend pick it up and grabbed it today.