Things to Put in Beer

[Beau Geste (imported)]

Since this is midsummer, generally the hottest part of the year, and beer is one of the more prominent cooling beverages, I think this could be called the height of the beer season. In confirmation of this, there was even a beer summit during the last week.

So, I thought it might be appropriate to comment on things to put in beer, and perhaps find out additional things that other folks put in the beverage. When I was in high school, any mixture of tomato juice and something alcoholic, was referred to as a "bloody Mary." Nowadays, I guess that vodka has become the standard additive used to make a bloody Mary. But beer and tomato juice is still a pretty good mix--albeit a lot of people put vodka into a mix of beer and the juice, to increase the alcoholic kick. Worcestershire sauce--not very much--improves the flavor of the drink, whether or not you add vodka. If I recall correctly, gin was sometimes added to tomato juice instead of vodka or beer, very rarely the drink was made with brandy.

Incidentally, somebody pointed out to me recently that V-8 juice is good in German weissbier, which, of course, is made with wheat. Hefeweizen would probably be good with the V-8 as well. The weissbier with V-8 is improved if you crumble a little dill weed on top. Not very alcoholic, but it is thirst-quenching.

The standard additives for weissbier in Germany, are raspberry syrup or woodruff syrup. The raspberry syrup is good in the beer, and the flavor isn't all that far from a Belgian framboise lambic, if you get the right proportions. I've never tasted woodruff syrup, can't remember ever seeing a bottle of it.

And I guess everybody is familiar with the practice of adding lime to some Mexican beers. You can even buy beer that has lime added during the brewing process. I've known people to add grapefruit juice to beer--not to my taste. I also once saw somebody put sauerkraut juice in beer, something which is supposed to be a hangover remedy. I think the cure might be worse than the malady.

Then there are porter floats, which are often actually made with stout. The recipes on the internet only call for a couple of tablespoons of the beer in a twelve ounce glass, but I like at least a third of the mix to be porter. I use Anchor's version of porter. Some punch recipes include beer, most don't.

Anybody know any other good additives for beer?

[BossTamsin (imported)]

I do a little bit of light home brewing, and have really gotten into adding different things to the beer to see what happens. Although, most of my additions tend to take place much earlier in the process. Heheh.

So far, my favourite addition combination has to be espresso stout. There's just something about the nice roasty flavours that combine so well. That said, I've also used cherries, dark chocolate, cinnamon, raspberries, blueberries, and honey. Coming up I expect to work with lemon, coriander, brown sugar, molasses....

I don't see why you couldn't just see about adding a shot of espresso to a nice stout just before you drink it though.

[Riverwind (imported)]

You know, I tried 8 different beers when visiting in Mo this spring, I doubt I will ever drink that much beer ever again.

I really don't like the stuff, not fond of vodka either, not much of a drinker at all. However, Gin, I do have a liking for Gin, put some in a glass, face France say Vermouth add an olive, the perfect Martini.

River

[MacTheWolf (imported)]

You know, I tried 8 different beers when visiting in Mo this spring, I doubt I will ever drink that much beer ever again.

I really don't like the stuff, not fond of vodka either, not much of a drinker at all. However, Gin, I do have a liking for Gin, put some in a glass, face France say Vermouth add an olive, the perfect Martini.

River

The rumors must be true: I am River's Siamese twin. I, also, am not much of a beer drinker, but Gin, yum. I've had a martini but Iove a good gin and tonic on the rocks.

[FianceeUvBigGuy (imported)]

I don't always drink beer...but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.

Stay horny...I mean THIRSTY...my friends.

Yoli

The girl who just can't leave well enough alone.

[nullorchis (imported)]

Alcohol, in any product, can* reduce sex drive (by chemical interaction on testosterone and it's components and by products). Most long term alcholics can't "get it up". Heavy social drinkers are frequent users of Cialis, Viagra, etc.

Alcohol also can* reduce the effectiveness of testosterone suppression drugs, resulting in an increase in the effects of testosterone (assuming one has not been clinically castrated).

What enters our bodies via sight, smell, taste, ears, touch, has some kind of effect, and even cascading effects.

(note I said "can", not "will". Everything is relative)

However real licorice root (not the candy) that has not been deglycerized WILL lower your testosterone level........check it out. Non-DGL licorice root tea, with a couple of ounces of your favorite liquor, hot or cold, makes an afternoon absolutely marvelous, although I'm not so sure about licorice root in beer.

If done daily, over time, this may not kill your sex drive, but for many people it will certainly suppress it. (NOTE: as with anything we put in our bodies, some precautions are often needed: non-dgl licorice root should not be taken for extended periods of time, such as more than six months as continuous use usually does have other undesirable negative health side effects).

[Riverwind (imported)]

The rumors must be true: I am River's Siamese twin. I, also, am not much of a beer drinker, but Gin, yum. I've had a martini but Iove a good gin and tonic on the rocks.

Beefeaters, yesterday, today and forever.

River

[moi621 (imported)]

Put in politics,

First, for

Bud. in bottles.

It is my fav although I do take adventures.

Never to the dark side.

But, happened to see some

Red Stripe Jamaican Ale

at a competitive price.

And, figuring in a month or so,

someone is going to analyze the sales

of the 3 conference beers since the meeting.

I voted.

I purchased Red Stripe.

Moi

[snakecharmer (imported)]

I am a homebrewer and have on occasion experimented with various additions to include Raspberries to a dark Porter, Raspberries and ginger in a carbonated Mead (not technically a beer but made so similarly).

With the hop shortage and exorbitant prices I have made a couple of batches of IPA using Skullscap flowers in place of Hops. Skullscap is quite bitter like hops but without quite the same floral qualities of an aromatic hops. It is also a bit more brain numbing as well and makes for a great sleep.

[augman7518 (imported)]

I always liked my beer right out of the bottle or can,no added flavor.I do not find fault with that but since I was told I have diabetes,I just look on and wonder how good the stuff you guys drink tastes

regards augman