Sleepytime Ale Recipe

[BoozeMedic]

Concept: a session ale with chamomile, based on "Sleepytime Tea" by Celestial Seasonings herbal tea.
I have trouble sleeping sometimes, and while alcohol doesn't exactly help with that, I like having a good "nightcap" before bedtime.
I'm not too worried about the malt grist. I'll probably follow an English style pale ale or IPA, but very sessionable (i.e. 3.5-4% abv).

Herb additions at whirlpool @170°F:
Chamomile, spearmint, lemongrass, blackberry leaves, orange blossom, rose buds.
Maybe throw some L- theanine, GABA, and/or CBD isolate in if I can figure out how to dissolve it.

Question: what hops should I add? I'm thinking herbal and floral-- no citrus or grapefruit or pine. Opinions?

Also, suggestions for yeast-- London Ale III? Kölsch?

Thanks!

 

[ccreel67]

I suggest you keep it simple. There’s so many herbs listed, it could just be a mess of flavors. I’d make a tea first to establish the herb combo you desire and wouldn’t mess with cbd or anything medical at this point. Hops could be EKG or Brewers Gold or Domestic equivalents.

 

[ccreel67]

Chop n Brew did an episode featuring tea brews (beers).

 

[rtstrider]

Why not just throw in some SleepyTime Extra teabags at flameout? Think that'd be easy enough and go with exactly what you're looking to do

 

[ccreel67]

Why not just throw in some SleepyTime Extra teabags at flameout? Think that'd be easy enough and go with exactly what you're looking to do

Or, make a simple Blonde or Table Beer and dry hop with Sleepy Time.

 

[rtstrider]

Maybe try something like this with a clean yeast like chico or a kolsch yeast fermented LOW

Boil Time: 90 min
Batch Size: 5 gallons (fermentor volume)
Boil Size: 6 gallons
Boil Gravity: 1.037
Efficiency: 70% (brew house)
STATS:
Original Gravity: 1.045
Final Gravity: 1.010
ABV (standard): 4.54%
IBU (tinseth): 11.98
SRM (morey): 4.12
Mash pH: 0
FERMENTABLES:
7.5 lb - Pilsner (88.2%)
1 lb - Caramel / Crystal 10L (11.8%)
HOPS:
0.75 oz - Hallertau Mittelfruh, Type: Pellet, AA: 3.75, Use: Boil for 60 min, IBU: 11.98
MASH GUIDELINES:
1) Infusion, Temp: 150 F, Time: 60 min, Amount: 5 gal
YEAST:
White Labs - German Ale/ Kölsch Yeast WLP029