Oatmeal Raisin Stout

[sickle8]

I found a fairly easy recipe for an oatmeal stout online: http://www.recipezaar.com/41147

I would like to modify it to be an oatmeal raisin stout. I am thinking about using Crystal 90L to give it a raisin taste. Do you think I should maybe kick up the amount I use, or should I use that in combination with some raisin flavoring (if I can find it)?

[The Joker]

Im not exactly sure how you would get raisin flavor into a beer, but Im not much of a raisin person so that is about the last flavor I would want.

That site could use to add a little more info to their recipes like what hops and at what times, not to mention the yeast they are using. I guess they are leaving that up to the brewer but depending on what you use it will really change the flavor.

I would have more faith in a recipe from a brewing for example this site seems to have a few recipes to choose from.
http://www.stoutbillys.com/stout/RECIPENS/15a993b0/1c2734ab.htm
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Let the obsession begin.

[sickle8]

Well I contacted one of the sites that I purchase supplies from, and they highly suggested fuggle hops, and in checking things out on a different site, I am going to go with either Danstar's Nottingham or Windsor yeast, or perhaps Munton's Standard Ale Yeast.


Any other thoughts on how to get the raisin flavor?

[ricka182]

This may too simplistic, but what about adding raisins to the secondary?
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[sickle8]

This is true, but I don't usually use a secondary, and therefore don't have one. Perhaps I could add it after fermentation is complete in the primary?

[sickle8]

Well, last night I did my first double-dip -- making two batches in one day.

I made another batch of American Wheat and my first batch of Oatmeal Raisin Stout.


I decided to add cinnamon and nutmeg to one of those recipes that you recommended, Joker. As for the raisins, I added 1/4 C of California Golden raisins in with the primary, as I don't use a secondary. The guy at the brew shop in town said it should work just fine for me.


I'll let you know about some pics later!

[sickle8]

Well, I added some pictures, but don't want to clog up bandwidth on the site, so if you are interested, visit me on myspace. Just search for duder brewing.

[sickle8]

It looks as though the raisins fought the yeast, and the yeast won! I went down to check on the fermentation tonight and all of the raisins had floated to the top. I just hope this works out to be a somewhat decent beer that I would want to make again.

[The Joker]

That is what homebrewing is all about. Take good notes give it a shot and depending on the results either brew it again or make very subtle changes. The thing I forget to do is go back and make notes on the recipe about what flavors I am getting from the changes. I think I have used 4 different recipes for my blueberry wheat now some where great some weren't as good but still very drinkable. I just don't remember which batch was which.

Oh more reasons to keep brewing and experimenting.
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Let the obsession begin.

[sickle8]

Thanks for the encouragement, Joker!

[sickle8]

I sampled the first bottle of the ORS last night, and it's decent. Whenever I brew something new, I try not to get my hopes up, though, until others have tried it, so that will be the real measuring stick.