i was wondering if anybody had insight to adding honey to a boil?
the last couple of batches of my porter i’ve been adding it late(about 15 min). would adding it earlier help improve the flavor notes or do i simply need to up the honey amount in my recipe? which i don’t mind because i have no fear raising the OG at all.
either way i’m gonna brew my porter again this weekend, though with slight refinements to my recipe. i think i’m using to much chocolate malt currently.
You actually want to as the honey as close to the end of the boil a possible. I would suggest 5 minutes left on the boil, or less. The longer the honey is in the boil the more aromatics are boiled off.
Also try priming with the same honey as you brewed with (I know you bottle ;))
Also, for a porter I would try to get the strongest flavoured honey you have available. something smokey might be nice with a porter. mesquite? or, if you can find it, forest or honeydew honey which is made when the bees give up on the flowers and collect ‘nectar’ from scale insects
I have thought about priming just haven’t tried it yet; usually i use brown sugar. I’ll do it with this next batch. the next honey I’m hoping to try is an avocado honey. great rich flavor I think will work well.