Homemade Spiced Beer?

Question

I know the spices which can be used for making spiced beer at home but I want to know specifically the spices which you have experimented with already, successfully.

Answer 1

Seeds and Bark Sources of Spiciness.

Cardamom (Black Pepper-Lemon-Vanilla-like spice), Cinnamon, Coriander, Cumin, Star anise (slight liquorice flavor nice in Porters or Stouts), Juniper (think of the aroma of Gin).

Fruit or root sources of spiciness.

Curacao orange peel, Fresh Ginger, Habanero + Jalapeno Chilies.

When it comres to the hot chilies the beers was a nominal sucess. But it was big at atleast on barbecue.

I do make a nice Porter with the Star Anise and Cardamom.

The other spices I have used in seaonal beers, wheat and Winter Holiday.

The next big thing will be herbs other than hops (which certain varities Styrian Goldings for example, lend some spiciness to beer.)

Answer 2

Coriander - In a Saison... turned out better than I could have hoped. The biggest problem I have with American wheats is the tendency to over use this spice. It is meant to be an accent, not a primary flavor.

Orange Peel - Technically not a spice, but still a flavor adjunct. I tend to try to balance the flavor with both sweet and bitter orange peel... To much bitter and you get a waxy... Pledge like flavor. To much sweet and you sick of the beer... candy-like.

Lemon Peel - Don't know how this one will work... I just bottled my first attempt with it on Thursday. Smelled good during that process.

Clove - This is a great spice to use in wheat beer and I don't know why more brewers don't... adds a great earthy-herbal flavor.

Grains of Paradise - A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY! This such an unusual spice... It has layers of cinnamon, ginger, an earthiness and so many others. Spicy and warming... yet oddly mellow. So unusual.