Mashing Pumpkins Spiced Saison NHC 2009

Category 21: Spice/Herb/Vegetable Beer
Sponsored by High Gravity Homebrewing & Winemaking Supplies

2009 AHA National Homebrew Competition Gold Medal
Mark Cherney, Ladera Ranch, Calif., Spiced Saison, Fear No Beer Brewclub

“Mashing Pumpkins Spiced Saison”
Spiced Saison 

Ingredients for 5 U.S. gallons (18.93 liters)

10.5 lb            (4.76 kg) two row pale malt

0.5 lb             (227 g) wheat malt

0.5 lb             (227 g) 75 L crystal malt

0.5 lb             (227 g) biscuit malt

1.0 lb             (0.45 kg) dark brown sugar

1.0 lb             (0.45 kg) Libby’s 100% pumpkin (in mash)

5                      whole cloves (10 min)

3                      cinnamon sticks (10 min)

3 T.                  (44 mL) nutmeg (10 min)

1.0 oz             (28 g) Styrian Goldings pellet hops, 5.4% alpha acid (60 min)

0.5 oz             (14 g) Czech Saaz pellet hops, 3% alpha acid (20 min)

                        White Labs WLP 565 Saison I ale yeast

                        Forced CO2 to carbonate

Original Specific Gravity: 1.080

Final Specific Gravity: [unknown]

Boiling Time: 60 minutes

Primary Fermentation: 70° F (21° C)

Directions

Mash grains at 153° F (67° C) for 60 minutes. Mash out at 168° F (76° C) for 10 minutes. Add pumpkin at beginning of mash and add spices to boil at 10 minutes from flameout.

Judges’ Comments

“Excellent balance with spice addition. I really like this beer!”

“Subtle pumpkin character. Quite sweet—could be drier.”

Runners-Up

Silver Medal: Ted Hausotter, Baker City, Ore., Jalapeño Helles Bock , Good Libations

Bronze Medal: Jared Mechling and Ken Hittel, Baltimore, Md., Sweet Potato and Spice Old Ale, Society for TRUB