How to brew a delicious SPICED HOLIDAY ALE ready in time for Christmas!

[@stephenkintner3822]

Just to follow up - this turned out AMAZING. Brought 2 growlers of it to a Christmas party and it was a massive hit!

[@EtherealPrelude]

The PRV trick to add the extract is genius. Glad the beer turned out well!

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Its pretty useful! Thats how I add gelatin as well.

[@magnetomage]

can i just say, I LOVE that you color coded the fermentable list with their SRM. That is Briliant!

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

I think it helps people visualize the eventual color of the beer. Glad you like it!

[@jazzyboydc]

U deserve so many more followers than what u have. Appreciate ur content. Thanks for all ur videos

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Thank you so much! That's very kind of you!

[@jaskats1]

Beautiful camera clarity. As always, I love your organization and beginning-to-end approach to your videos along with your honest feedback. Excellent video. We live near bee keepers and use honey often in our beer. The complexity of local raw honey is much different. We add the honey in the WP at 180F. We will certainly be brewing this beer soon using local raw honey. Cheers!

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Thank you very much! I love the idea of adding in the local honey. That would ad some really nice flavors!

[@georgerobartes2008]

Its a late medieval English Purl or Perle , a prehop spiced ale that originally had mugwort , alehoof or nettle or alll 3 instead of hops as a preservative . Served warm at Christmas.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Never heard of that before!

[@TheBruSho]

Happy holidays Steve! This looks like an excellent end to the year

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Thanks Trent! It turned out really nicely!

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Thanks Trent! It turned out pretty nicely!

[@stephenkintner3822]

Giving this one a shot today!

[@slowrvr]

Love the cat ears in the lower right taking in all the information on yeast options.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Lol I never noticed him until I edited. He likes to be included

[@JPch108]

Very good... Obrigado Portugal Aveiro... Eu aqueço os condimentos...

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Cheers!

[@f.lapointe4343]

Félicitation... Your beer looks amazing. In my experience, the cinnamon flavor builds up over time as the beer ages. I also recommend using the first gold hop for its marmalade flavor.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Thank you! I am hoping it comes through more over time!

[@adamsandoval730]

Good stuff Steve! 🍻

[@bjsgordo]

Windsor is a great yeast. Need 2 or 3 weeks to clear. Ask for low mash temp and simple sugar ( my bitters).

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Yeah, for my first time using it I really am happy with it!

[@taptwenty4seven]

If we are bottling instead of kegging, would we need to add priming sugar in addition to the vanilla extract before bottling? We have never brewed with honey before so we have no idea how that will effect carbonation. Any other changes that we would need to make if bottling and not kegging?

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

The honey addition, as long as its in the boil will not change your carbonation. I would recommend adding your vanilla in the fermentation if you are bottling.

[@deckerhand12]

Maris otter as well as golden promise is my two go to base malts. Golden promise replace 2 and 6 row for me personally

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Those are two outstanding malts, they have so much flavor

[@sethb9687]

I was thinking about making a Christmas beer this year and thought "I wonder if the apartment brewer has a video for something similar" lo and behold, there's this video. I was thinking a scaled down quad, but with English yeast and hops. I ordered d180, Franco-belges pilsner, and metolius Munich malt. Then east Kent goldings and safale s04. My estimated starting gravity is 1.062. Just thought it was funny how similar it was. You can definitely tell I've learned most of my brewing from your videos lol. I know this isn't a new video, but please never stop making these videos. I've learned basically everything about brewing from you.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Thank you so much for the compliment! I'm glad I could help your brewing journey out so much. That sounds remarkably similar to the Christmas Ale I am going to be brewing this year!

[@sethb9687]

@@TheApartmentBrewer well, I'm definitely looking forward to the video dropping. On a side note, I'm curious if you play video games at all

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Not as much anymore but I did in the past

[@sethb9687]

@@TheApartmentBrewer I get that. Especially since you have a child now. But if you've got a Playstation and ever want to play, just let me know!

[@PatrickSandy78]

Sounds like you are drinking a liquid Dickens novel...You might just get a visit from the spirit of Jacob Marley, asking for a pub pint.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Haha the ghost of hangovers past?

[@filmscorefreak]

Cinnamon i think is something where one sprinkle too much can tip the whole cart over lol ends up like mouthwash haha...glad yours is a success, love the english ingredients, fun episode as usual. merry christmas!

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Very true! I'm glad you enjoyed it, Merry Christmas!

[@michelleglab3578]

I've seen a lot of your videos but this might be the first with a cat cameo! 😊😺 Great video! Happy holidays.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

He shows up from time to time haha. Cheers!

[@cameronarthurnoble]

Another awesome grain to glass!

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Thank you for watching!

[@backyardbrewsnbbqs]

Sounds like a great beer, and makes me thirsty for one

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

It was delicious!

[@Bullsbrew551]

Nice beer. Looks like mashing at 155f was just fine. Have a Merry Christmas 🎄🍻

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Yup, especially with this yeast since it can't ferment more complex sugars unlike other yeasts

[@matthewosborne221]

Well done! It sounds like you made a delicious fireside sipper. I loved to hear you had restraint on the carbonation too. Have you considered dosing it with gelatin to clear it up? I would have skipped the honey, mashed at 153 and upped it to 6.8-7%. Way to go dude!

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Turns out it cleaned up OK on its own! Yeast dropped out crystal clear!

[@Jordan-ck5gv]

Steve, sorry if you have gone over this before but, why don't you normally brew with crystal malt?

[@hopsandgrainsbeerreviews.587]

Thats a good looking beer.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

It is delicious!

[@edbercaw5833]

Thanks for showing an interesting beer! Nice recipe.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Thank you! It was a pretty fun one to brew!

[@TedeTVs]

My Xmas ale are fermenting with Voss. I used cinnamon, a couple of organic orange zest, Curacao and brown sugar. Melanoiden malt, special b, pilsner, crystal wheat and dextrin malt 🤓

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Ooh very nice! Sounds like it will be a great one!

[@kjdevault]

How did this one turn out? Sounds delicious!!

[@TedeTVs]

@@kjdevault Where are you based? I still got some for next Xmas 🎄

[@kjdevault]

@@TedeTVs I’m in Missouri. I’m late to the beer game. I was drinking whiskey when everyone else was drinking beer when we were younger. Now I’m catching up, learning what I like, and brewing.

[@kjdevault]

@@TedeTVs where are you located?

[@azerbouf]

Great video! Interesting recipe, will definitely gonna try it out! I love how your video quality jumped to a next level. Video/audio quality is just amazing. Seems like you are using a Sony 35mm with Sony a7... You should probably change the auto focus setting to be "face focus" or focus by eyes, otherwise, the focus "jump" when you are moving your hands.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Thanks! I'm loving my new kit. The auto focus is already set to area with eye detection already, but I think it seems to get buggy when the camera battery is low. Still a lot to figure out with this camera!

[@tommanning7337]

Outstanding AB, outstanding!!!!!!! Killing it bro killing it!!!! 😎🍺🍺🍺🍺

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Thank you!! Cheers Tom!

[@tomadams9002]

Great video. I recently made a Christmas beer using a brown ale base. Orange zest, molasses, ginger, cinnamon.. I made a vanilla extract . S04 pressure fermented. I’m waiting to kick a keg so I have room to put it on tap lol.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Sounds delicious!

[@icactus27]

Looking forward to the year end update! Hope you include the infamous RIS! Would also love to know the specific CO2 level you carb each beer to.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Never really measured my co2 levels unless I'm bottling. I just do 20 psi until the pour looks good and the carbonation feels right

[@JoeGraves24]

Actually I just brewed a beer kit called Festivus Miracle from Northern Brewer! It has a wonderful flavor and sounds a lot like yours. I used S-04 and it’s wonderfully fruity. Clear as a bell as well. Congrats!

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Nice! I've seen that kit a few times. S-04 would be another good option for these, but I am not a huge fan of the fruity esters from some English yeasts, hence fermenting mine so cold

[@desertriderukverun1002]

I’m looking forward to trying this one. I figure it’s a good time to brew it and let it sit a couple months. I’ll probably make a 2 1/2 gal mash and make a few tweaks based on ingredients on hand. I’m going to use jaggery for the sugar and golden raisins. Might also add some toasted wheat.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

I really think you'll enjoy it!

[@johnoberto2659]

Great video. I made a dubbel this year for my holiday brew. It came out great. Happy holidays

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Happy holidays!

[@MrMorgenshtern]

Thanks for the recipe! Brewed it on New Year. But that's TOO much cloves! This is despite the fact that I put 2 times less of it than indicated. And still the cloves flavors interrupts all other. But this ale still came out very tasty.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Not surprised that it was a bit too much for some folks. Glad it wasn't too bad though!

[@peteraller6929]

Hi Steve, I am interested in that ball valve assembly that you use to create a whirlpool. How do you do that? I too have a Clawhammer 20-Gal, 240V system

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Check this video out, should help answer your questions: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIDXZqOlpNlppsU

[@DaFUNKEYMONKEY99]

Great video as always. I enjoyed it very much. Could you maybe do a video on yeast attenuation/fermentation tips, tricks, and improvements? Or if you already have a video could you point it out to me please? Cheers!

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

I sort of have one already, it's more oriented toward fermenting high gravity beers but it's got the same concepts - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bH-ZqqyOhdWlj8k

[@prodanman]

Preparing to brew my Christmas Ale. This looks like good receipe. Think I'll brew it. Let you know how it turns out

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Please do!

[@RuckinBrit]

Love the nod to the UK with the nonic pint glass. Hope it was 20oz!! 😊.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Its a 16 oz pint but its absolutely the right glass for this!

[@davidrogers6262]

Hi Steve, I brewed very closely to your recipe about 2 1/2 weeks ago in an all rounder and just cold crashed a week ago. I went out of town and left it at 12 lbs before I left and came back with 8 lbs in the the keezer at 38 degrees. I hooked up the CO2 back to 12 lbs and will serve at Xmas. I like the idea of adding vanilla dry. I did use a bit of ginger. I hope it comes out as good as yours. Merry Brewmas!

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Nice! I hope it turns out just as nicely for you!

[@curtpick628]

Sounds interesting Steve. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

The same to you Curt, thanks for watching!

[@irrlicht6997]

Merry Christmas and thanks for all the interesting videos this year, as the previous years!

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Thank you for watching them! Merry Christmas!

[@Atxjrdguy]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. My Spiced Amber is in the fermenter as of yesterday. Based on an American Amber. Orange, Cinnamon, and allspice. And I think you just made me decide to toss in a hit of vanilla at keg time. Cheers!

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

It adds a lot! Just be careful with the dosage since it will get overpowering very quickly. Merry Christmas!

[@bigernbladesmith]

This year I did a gingerbread cookie stout on top of my oatmeal cookie stout. This was my 1st time using molasses. I must not like the taste of fermented molasses or I really messed up something because I'm not a fan. Next time I'm going to leave out the molasses and see what happens.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Hmmm, maybe it was too dark of a grade of molasses?

[@arnoldadamj]

Great video, as usual. Can you share your Brewhouse/Mash efficiency?

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Usually I average around 70-75% but I really don't record it that much

[@arnoldadamj]

@@TheApartmentBrewer got it, thanks!

[@ELRORRITO1]

Hey Steve. Planning of brewing a Christmas Ale in the next 2 weeks. My plan was to use tour recipe to the T. Are you brewing one for 2024 season? Cheers from Phoenix, AZ 🍻

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

yup - publishing next week!

[@spu313]

This looks extremely tasty to go with a Christmas dinner! How would you adapt your spice mixes to a half size batch - 2.5 gallons? Also, with almost a year behind it now, apart from the vanilla adjustmenz is there anything else what you would change?

[@peteraller6929]

Making it this weekend Steve and implementing the suggestion of less vanilla, think I'll keep the cinnamon where it is. How many weeks of conditioning for this beer. You may have said it, but I missed it if you did (even after watching it multiple times) Great production value

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Glad you enjoyed the video! I think I had this conditioning for only 1 or 2 weeks to be honest

[@jameso904]

Would be ok to substitute with Crystal 60 and chocolate malt? I'm Unable to get English for both.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Yes, it wouldn't be too far off.

[@jameso904]

@@TheApartmentBrewer ok, thank you!

[@blakeweigel6475]

what device are you using to get your digital gravity readings during fermentation?

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

The Anton Paar EasyDens

[@kurtwolter3984]

Sounds great. I’ve never had luck with this style. Maybe it’s just not my cup of beer, but I keep on trying. ;-)

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

No worries, just keep at it!

[@ElementaryBrewingCo]

Sounds like a great beer! Cheers 🍻

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

It really was a nice one! Cheers Brian!

[@Randel1966]

This looks fantastic. Thank you! I plan to brew this on Saturday. Using a Braumeister 20L. Any tips?

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

It was an absolute favorite. I think the biggest thing is to use a gentle hand on the spices as always, and keep the fermentation cool. Enjoy!

[@Randel1966]

Thank you! Will post my results. 🍻

[@Randel1966]

Just finished the brew. Hit the 1.062 OG. Do you add your finings before or after the vanilla? Thank you again! 🍻

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

I'd recommend adding them before. Glad the brew went well!

[@Randel1966]

@@TheApartmentBrewer Thank you!

[@gregvinyard7375]

Sorry to be asking this years later but I popped on here to see the water profile as I am brewing a Great Lakes Christmas Clone. You said your PH reading was high because you were reading it hot, but I was under the impression that hot wort read more acidic?

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Yup, I had it backwards in this video...still worked out though!

[@JamesChurchill3]

I've just ordered the malts for this, looks delicious! Though it seems candi syrup is difficult to come by in the UK without ordering from the US (expensive!). Are there any other substitutions for this?

[@will5430]

You could possibly make your own.

[@JamesChurchill3]

@@will5430 I think I'm going to, the available options look to be more than the grain bill will end up costing.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

I would actually recommend a light molasses or a brown/turbinado sugar as a sub if you cant find it. You can try to make your own but it can spatter easily

[@JamesChurchill3]

@@TheApartmentBrewer I've just done some googling and it sounds like Golden Syrup is the closest easily accessible alternative we have here, it looks to be around the right colour, I'll report back on how it turns out.

[@JamesChurchill3]

@@TheApartmentBrewer Can confirm, golden syrup seemed to work great. Incredible recipe, possibly my best brew to date. All the best, have a great Christmas.

[@S_Bomb]

Stupid question, but I am new to kegging, but the vanilla extract wasn't added under pressure right? I imagine not but I saw your hookups in the video. I think you were saying you just wanted to limit oxygen exposure as much as possible by going through the PRV. Just wanted to confirm, because I may steal this method in the future! :) cheers

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

The way I did this was hook up just a very low pressure of CO2 maybe 1 or 2 psi to the keg.

[@danielcirino9098]

I followed this recipe with less spice (bad experience last Xmas with excess clove). I wish I’d actually followed your’s closer bc the candy syrup is overpowering and may have been better balanced with more spices. Still a good beer though. Thanks a lot.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@eddoewrites]

Nutmeg and I don’t get along. Did you get any notes of that?

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Yeah the nutmeg definitely comes through in this beer

[@bunnyhop-tony]

For cinnamon aroma you really should use tincture. Try this next time;)

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

True, I used a tincture in last years holiday ale but still didn't get as much cinnamon as I wanted. I'll have to up the anti

[@billnova1]

Curious why you use baking soda? I use the other 3 on every brew but only use baking soda to raise ph (stouts ect ). A little raises ph a lot. I live in yakima Washington so maybe it’s the difference in west and east coast water. Cheers !! Looking forward to the next video.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

I use it to add in sodium and bicarbonate into the water profile. Yes it will affect the pH a bit but it works well to add the necessary minerals since chalk just doesnt work

[@charlesjohnson5811]

Bro I just brewed this and mine SUCKS. The spices are overwhelming and harsh. Not sure what I've done differently/wrong!!! The only thing I can think is that maybe the spices were held at boiling/near boiling temps for too long... Wish I had time to rebrew, but alas - it could be going down the drain.

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Sorry to hear that! It's quite possible your spices were stronger or more intense than the ones I used and perhaps had been held at too high of a temp

[@charlesjohnson5811]

@TheApartmentBrewer I may have overreacted slightly... It went down pretty well with certain family members on the big day, especially alongside the xmas pudding! Cheers Steve, hope you're enjoying the holidays 😄

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Im glad to hear that! May have just needed a little time to mellow out. Cheers!

[@finspin4984]

Hi Kittie

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

lol the cat cameos are coming back

[@briandowdell358]

Hey has anyone looked at the Jedi Survivor trailer? In the thumbnail, the protagonist bares a striking resemblance to an apartment brewer we all know and love: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIPEoJV6f8-cm8U

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

I am Cal Kestis. I just need to get a BD-1 costume for the cat then it will be perfect haha

[@briandowdell358]

@@TheApartmentBrewer :bridges fingers together: it's all coming together... 😁

[@cmcurran5]

Randy marsh holiday special?!

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

lmao

[@TheRevWasTheBest]

je ne sais quoi? bro? haha i'm gonna make this but i'm not saying that.

[@mitchmason8386]

I am very disappointed with Northern Brewer they are buying out all the smaller Homebrew shops and jacking up the prices of their products I just tried to place an order and was sickened by the prices of the products and the shipping was even worse

[@DrunkDelilahBrewery]

Nice to see you using a proper PINT glass, we like em bigger in the UK !!!

[@TheApartmentBrewer]

Thats the way they should be!!