The pumpkin ale is not new in the world of craft brewing, but nowadays it is getting more popular as it is going places. The sweet and spicy aroma of pumpkin ale just captures your psyche and soothes your senses. This is nowadays becoming a popular drink in the Halloween as well. This drink is brewed between September and late November. It is easy to make at home. If you are always tempted by the pumpkin pie, but need something different, then pumpkin ale is your kind of thing. Learn how to make finest pumpkin ale at home.
Where did this drink originate?
This ale was brewed for the first time in the United States. When barley and other ingredients were not grown in abundance and people were not able to make liquor, which is when the brewers thought of experimenting with different fruits that were available in abundance like apples, parsnips and pumpkins. This is one of the reasons for brandyâs popularity in olden days. Pumpkin beer gained popularity only after the beginning of 20th century when craft brewers started experimenting with pumpkin. Today this drink is widely consumed and is a very popular drink during Halloween season. It is easy to brew this drink. Read on to find more.
Complexity level: Moderate
Time taken: 1 ½ hours
Ingredients
- 4 ½ lb pumpkin
- 2 ½ lb malt extract
- 2 oz dried hops
- 26 pints of water
- 1 ½ lb sugar or pale dried malt extract
- Ale yeast
- Large saucepan, muslin or cheesecloth
- Fermentation bin
- Siphoning tube
- Hydrometer (option)
- Note: Do not use canned pumpkin.
Method:
1. Chop the pumpkin into fist size pieces.
2. Remove the seeds from the pumpkin chunks.
3. Roast for 20 minutes at 390 degree Fahrenheit or until the pumpkin pieces looks crisp.
4. Allow to cool and then hollow out the pulp.
5. Boil 14 pints of water and add the scooped out pumpkin pulp into the water.
6. Let it boil for 30 minutes.
7. Add hops to the mixture. This helps preserve the ale.
8. Pour malt extract and sugar into the fermentation bin
9. Stir well until they are fully mixed.
10. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the fermentation bin.
11. Stir the mixture and make sure the sugar is dissolved.
12. Add remaining 12 pints of cold water to the mixture.
13. Allow the mixture to cool.
14. When it cools down to room temperature, add yeast to the mixture.
15. Use hydrometer to check the gravity. It should be 1030.
16. Seal the fermentation bin and leave it for a week. Let the mixture ferment.
17. Put a teaspoon of sugar into the empty bottle and drain in the fermented liquid. Remember no to siphon the sediments of the fermented mixture.
18. Seal the bottle and leave it for 10 days.
19. Your pumpkin ale is ready to drink.
Tips:
1. It is important to clean all the equipment before starting the ale making process. If the equipment is not sterilized and rinsed well, your pumpkin beer may not taste good.
2. Remember to taste the ale at every stage so that you can keep a check on the taste of your ale.
3. First try to make cordial and try new flavor combinations.
4. Do not use a foraged plant or ingredient that you cannot identify.
5. Let it ferment properly before filling the bottle. If you fill the bottles without letting the liquid ferment, there can be chances that the bottle will explode when you seal it.
