Cherrywood Smoked Malt

[MIKEW]

Looking for some ideas on how to use this. I have made two smoked beers using the beechwood smoked malt, but have never used this before.

My smoked porter had about 4 lbs of smoked malt in it, my smoked marzen had 6 lbs. While intense, I was happy with the 6 lbs in the marzen, but from what I understand, the Cherrywood smoked malt might be a bit stronger in flavor than the beechwood smoked malt.

I am leaning toward making another marzen style beer with it as opposed to a darker beer like a porter, but am wondering if there might be something else to try. Smoked wheat?

Also - any thoughts on how much to use? I have 5 lbs, and honestly wouldn't be afraid to use it all in one 5g batch, unless someone wants to convince me this is a bad idea.

Thanks!

[JE]

I am getting the thoughts of Washington and the Cherry Tree incident...you know, "I cannot tell a lie".

I am thinking something that would suit Washington would be a Cherry Smoked Porter!

Make a light Porter using all 5 pounds of that Cherry Smoked Malt...and maybe some Brown Malt to keep with the historical references (Brown Malt, although not the same as it "used" to be, can be purchased through MoMalt as well).

Although you won't be able to use the current version of Brown Malt as a base (like it would have been in Washington's time), Dale made an impressive Porter using, if I remember what he told me correctly (please correct me if I am wrong, Dale!!), 50% Brown Malt 50% 2-Row.

Just a thought...

[MIKEW]

George's Cherry-Tree Smoked Porter - coming up with a beer to match a name, rather than a name to match a beer. A little unorthadox, but I like the creativity. Probably a little bit better than my usual naming creativity "smoked beer".

I may think about it...although I seem to have a lot of beer in the darker end of the spectrum currently - a brown, oktoberfest, doppelbock, and stout on tap along with a handful of older varieties that I have bottled that seem to have ended up being mostly stouts, so something lighter seems a bit more appealing at this time.

[JE]

Well, although it would be even more "unorthodox", you could always try:

George's Cherry-Tree Wee Heavy
George's Cherry-Tree Wit
George's Cherry-Tree Rauchbier
George's Cherry-Tree IPA

...oh, I could do this for hours...

Just pick a base style and "Smoke it, man!" What's the worst that can happen? A bad beer??

[bmock]

I think a cherry smoked wheat sounds quite pleasant. Just sub your smoked malt for the 2-row or pils you would normally use in your favorite wheat recipe and you'd have it. Throw in a tiny amount of a "red" malt just to give it a little interest. Carared for example.

[MIKEW]

I thought about the cherry-wood smoked wheat, and was hoping someone would suggest it so I wouldn't be the only one to come up with a potentially bad idea (or a really good one!). Have you made something like this before?

[MIKEW]

Just pick a base style and "Smoke it, man!" What's the worst that can happen? A bad beer??

Well, there is always the "all my kegs are empty now - I wish that one was actually drinkable" problem, which could be a complete disaster actually.

[bmock]

I thought about the cherry-wood smoked wheat, and was hoping someone would suggest it so I wouldn't be the only one to come up with a potentially bad idea (or a really good one!). Have you made something like this before?

I suggested it because you mentioned it in your original post.

I haven't made one, but I wouldn't be afraid.

[MIKEW]

I suggested it because you mentioned it in your original post.

Doh! - I did taint the thread.

[JE]

Just pick a base style and "Smoke it, man!" What's the worst that can happen? A bad beer??

Well, there is always the "all my kegs are empty now - I wish that one was actually drinkable" problem, which could be a complete disaster actually.

Not a problem at all...make a "stand by" beer for one keg, and then the Smoked Monster for another! Problem solved!!!

Do I have to think of EVERYTHING?!?!