Flavourings
A number of traditional beer styles are brewed with spices. For example, Belgian witbier is brewed with coriander, Finnish sahti is brewed with juniper berries, and traditional beers in Britain are brewed with honey and spices. Also, some strong winter beers are flavoured with nutmeg and/or cinnamon, while ginger is a popular flavouring for a range of beers. Many commercially available pumpkin ales are made with pumpkin pie spices without any actual pumpkin.
Spices may be added to the wort during the boil or spices or spice extract may be added at any time during fermentation depending on desired results.
Spices used in brewing include:
- Allspice
- Anise
- Cinnamon
- Clove
- Coriander
- Ginger
- Hot pepper
- Juniper berries or boughs
- Licorice
- Nutmeg
- Orange or Lemon peel
- Spruce needles or twigs (see spruce beer)
- Wormwood
- Yarrow
Other, less common flavourings include chocolate, coffee, milk, chili peppers and even oysters.
Read more about this topic: Adjuncts