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Malt Beverage Suggestions?

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scout

NewBee
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Sep 4, 2005
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scoutbrewblog.blogspot.com
Okay, remember guys, I am sooooo a newbie at this whole fermenting thing. I am still watching bubbles on my first batches. However, when some of my friends found out that I started brewing, they immediately asked when I would start brewing beer. My answer was that I wouldn't. I don't like most beers (especially domestics), and while I know that homebrew is a whole different animal and a much better one at that, I'm still not particularly interested.

However.

One of those that asked me about it is a good friend, and I might try a batch for him. Unfortunately, he doesn't like beers per se, but those malt beveragy things (you know: Zima, Smirnoff Ice, etc. etc.). How does one brew one of these? Are there kits available for them like there are for other beers? Is this even something I should try to pursue, or should I think about it again in a year or two after I have been brewing long enough to have actually tasted one of my batches - and hopefully gained a whole lot more experience with brewing in the process?
 
This is supposed to be a Zima recipe, but it doesn't make much sense to me: http://www.stoutbillys.com/stout/RECIPENS.htm

If you friends are looking for more of a beer-type beverage, try making a batch of braggot. If they are looking for a Zima-type drink, make a dry, sparkling melomel or a hard lemonade. The nice thing about meads is their versatility. If you cruise recipe sites, you should be able to come up with something that will satisfy their craving.

One word of caution about beer brewing...If your friends are not into or familiar with diferent styles, they will always compare your homebrews to commercial beers. This can be a bummer when you work your tail off to produce a well balanced Saisson and they respond by comparing it to a Miller Lite or Budweiser. Nowadays, I brew beer for myself and a small circle of friends/fellow brewers. I brew meads to share with the masses.

Peace.
 
As far as I understand, things like Zima etc are marketed as malt beverages to avoid taxes on hard liquor. IIRC it's a very bland beer, which is then filtered to remove all taste, colour etc (everything cept the alcohol). Then flavouring is added.

I agree with HomeBrew - try a hard lemonade...Miriam posted a recipe that I'll be trying soon, and it looks wonderful (and will be similar to a smirnoff ice I think)
 
I used to offer my homebrewed beer to everyone i came in contact with and it quickly became very frustrating. I encountered a lot of ignorant comments like "Oh, sorry i dont drink dark beer" in regards to any brew that was darker in color than their own urine. Or "Oh, you MADE that? No thanks, i heard it could be poison." So after a while i said you know what, screw it, they dont know what they are missing out on. Now i reserve my really special brew for myself and my close friends and family that can really appreciate it.
 
I used to experience a similar reaction when I told people about my beer brewing hobby ("But don't you British drink it at room temperature?" >:( >:(). Fortunately, there has been an explosion of Microbreweries over the past few years (there are at least six in Milwaukee alone), and people are more willing to try new beer. They are also much more aware of the varieties that are available, and discussions about different flavors and types are quite common now.

I try to force my beer onto people so that they can learn what a good beer tastes like. If they don't accept it, all the more for me.

Angus
 
Thanks for all the responses guys! :) I didn't understand that Zima recipe either, and I'm glad you said it first so I didn't hink it was just me being a newbie. I think I might try that hard lemonade recipe, too, Mynx. My husband (as well as the friend I was talking about) is nuts about sourness. He is already talking about me making a lemon mead or wine, and seeing how I could make it REALLY sour. I might make some of that stuff just for him. And since we are in the middle of a record breaking heat wave right now in Houston (high 90's), I should be able to set it outside in the garage and not worry about this particular one getting too hot. *grins*

Oh, and just so you guys know - I am not a urine drinker *grins* When I do drink beer, I tend to go for very very very pale ales or stuff so dark and thick you need a spoon (Guiness is my favorite, but I recently found a microbrew I like almost as well - Hobgoblin).
 
Ahh, Hobgoblin! You'll probably like the other Unibroue stuff too...they make good beer (and it's Canadian, woot!)
 
Hey HomeBrew,
took a look at that recipe and it makes about as much sense as tits on a bull :-\
Scout,
The beer kits (all extract) are fast and easy, something you can put together and have room for change. I like the kits with the hops separate (in some the hops are already added to the extract) because I can cut down the time and get a beer to my likeing.

Ted
 
Mynx,

I've been a long-time fan of La Fin du Monde (how can you not enjoy the End of the World?), but just started trying some of Unibroue's other brews. The Ephemere I tried this weekend is excellent! Definitely something I'd have to be in the mood for to appreciate, but it just has such a wonderfully balanced mouthfeel, all in perfect harmony. Perfect for a blazing summer day in October!

Cheers,
Kirk
 
I saw Ephemere in the local Cold Beer & Wine store the other day. It's apparently a seasonal, but now I'll have to check if they still have it! Cheers!
 
If you browse through the other recipes on that link you will come across many that do not make sense. I have taken bits and pieces from recipes on this site, but have never tried to duplicate one in its entirety. (I certainly don't ever plan to attempt the Zima recipe at all.)

Using only typical homebrewing equipment and processes, it would be difficult to get a good clear beverage if it contained malt.

Peace.
 
Yeah, I think I'm going to just try that hard lemonade recipe of Miriam's. And then maybe a hard limeade (with cherries!). And then maybe . . . Ah, well. so many brews, so little equipment and space! *big grins*
 
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