Holiday Brew Part 2: Frau Holle’s Yuletide Peculiars: 2012 Spiced Peach Belgian – the gift brew

Holidays need glitter!

I love to give holiday gifts, especially if I have made them. I’m sure there’s a selfish reason in there somewhere, but I think it’s also because I love to *recieve* handmade, consumable gifts. I have enough *stuff* and it is very difficult to put a personal spin on things from stores. So what is a home-brewing gal to do when she needs to bring a dinner contribution?

Bring Beer!

Because you didn’t see that coming.

I wanted to make a beer that people would be able to sip and make last, and where if I gave them a bomber then they could share it with a fried or two in front of the fire or during some holiday movie. So far, it’s developing very very pleasantly and I’m excited to see where it will be in three more weeks.
(eta: We opened up a bottle last night and it was AWESOME!! The spices are developing and melding and the peach is wonderfully fruity. Apparently peach doesn’t get ‘peachy’ but that’s ok. It makes a nice substantive base for everything to build off of.)

Frau Holle’s Yuletide Peculiars: 2012
In 1/2 pt vodka soak: 1 vanilla bean, 2″ x 1/2″ peeled piece of ginger, 4 whole cloves.

Bring 3 gallons of H2O to 170F
Steep: 1lb Carapils, 2.5 oz Roasted Barley, 13 oz Marris Otter for 40 min.
Let drain.
Bring to boil.
60 min – 3 lbs light DME
40 min – 3 lbs light DME + 3/4 oz Santium hops
15 min – 3.3 lbs light LME + 1 oz Strisselsput
Cool wort
Add H20 to 5 gallons
Add yeast (Wyeast Trappist High Gravity)
notes: slow primary