Oils In Beer

[darkhorse]

OK... I have heard a number of things people have used in their beer that I thought were adventurous. (Pumpkin, chilli, coffee, various fruits, etc)

I don't see it as being overly adventurous but has anyone ever tried adding hazelnut or macadamia oil or something like that (maybe sesame oil) in their beer.

I know that using munich malt will add nutty flavours, and some yeasts will enhance any nuttiness, but has anyone tried using the nuts themselves?

I guess I am only concerned at ending up with beer covered in a layer of oil. I would be hoping that the yeast would break down the oil yet preserve the flavours.

Any thoughts?

 

[Fingerlickin_B]

Might help (or hinder) head retention?

Sorry man, I'm as "in the dark" as you, but that thought just crossed my mind :huh:

PZ.

 

[DJR]

Alcohol is a slight emulsifier, so you should be able to dissolve some oil in the beer once there was some alcohol in there. I don't think yeast would really touch the fats - they tend to only work on simpler molecules like simple carbs.

 

[Kai]

Might help (or hinder) head retention?

Hinder.

But, the beauty of homebrewing is that you can do whatever the hell you like. Try it and report back.

 

[Boozy the clown]

Gee, I dunno. I was thinking the same thing the other week. maybe you could find 'extract of'.

Couldn't imagine drinking an 'oily' beer. Like kais says, give it a burl, let us know if ya hurl!

 

[Doc]

Extract oils like hazelnut can go into beer.
Add them at bottling/kegging time.
I'm fermenting a Choc Hazelnut Porter now and the plan is to add the Hazelnut oil at kegging time.

Beers,
Doc

 

[timmy]

Don't forget that hops contain oils as well. May not be as high as nuts but they're still there.

 

[yardy]

i know that the oils from orange/lemon peel etc in the boil do lessen head retention, maybe add something to counter it.

wheat, carapils etc.

cheers

yard

 

[darkhorse]

Thanks all,

I would also guess it would destroy head retention...
Doc... what have you found?
Choc Hazelnut porter? Feel like sharing the recipe?
How much Hazelnut oil to become noticable in a Dark ale?
I presume you are using Choc Malt or similar for the choc taste?

Too many questions I know...

Thanks for contributing guys... will give it a go.

 

[Bobby]

i think this is the recipe

 

[Airgead]

Extract oils like hazelnut can go into beer.

Beers,
Doc

[post="120423"][/post]​

What about making an actual nut essence (like the almond essence you can buy)?

From what I have read you essentially soak crushed nuts in as close to pure alcohol as you can get for a week or two to extract the flavours. The alcohol is a solvent so it strips the flavour and aroma compuntsds from the nuts and retains them in the liquid. That way you get the flavours you wantr without the oils.

I believe commercial essences are made by forcing alcohol vapour under pressure through whatever you are trying to extract from. Sounds like you could emulate this with a "water purifier".

I have made rose essence using rose petals (duh) and vodka. Not bad. Went very nicely in cakes. Never tried nuts though.

Cheers
Dave