Bourbon Vanilla Porter (AG) - Page 17

**Lil' Sparky** · 03-02-2010, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timobkg

If I understand you correctly, that means to add the extract with 15 minutes left in the hop boil?

I've not heard of that before, but it sounds interesting.

Right. I think it's pretty common for extract brewers.

**Lil' Sparky** · 03-02-2010, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beavdowg

What is Brown Malt? I can't find it in my BrewPal software.

thanks

AHS's description:
Brown malt imparts a dark-roasted and a slight nutty flavor to beer. It is primarily used in English beers: porters, stouts, milds, and brown ales.
60-90 L

http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?products_id=10734

**Lil' Sparky** · 03-02-2010, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beavdowg

Sparky,

I'm getting ready to brew this up this weekend but have another question. In the beginning of the recipe you give a 60 min. boil time but then in your comments before the recipe you say that it should be boiled for 90 minutes to get the gravity up. So which is it, 60 or 90 minutes?

thanks

Actually, I just rebuilt my computer and haven't reloaded Beersmith yet, so I'm not sure. I think it was probably 90 mins. I would recommend, with any recipe you find, that you do your own water calculations based on your own system losses, the time you plan to boil, etc. I often find that my volumes and strike temps are different than the recipe details.

Beavdowg · 03-08-2010, 09:00 PM

Well, I finally brewed this on Saturday night. Everything went pretty well, but my OG only ended up at 1.068, so I was way off on that. I'm trying to figure out what I did that could of effected the gravity that much and the only thing I can come up with was that I added another gallon of sparge water right at the end since I was worried I wasn't going to hit my pre-boil volume. Well, I ended up being about a 1/2 gal over. Do you think that an extra 1/2 gallon would of diluted the wort enough to account for a .010 gravity difference? I've been using the BrewPal app for my iPhone and everytime I second guess that thing I end up wishing I hadn't. You'd think I'd learn my lesson one of these sessions. Well, if any of you have considered the app it's really pretty slick. I highly recommend it!

damdaman · 03-11-2010, 05:57 AM

I'm drinking my extract version of this now... and it's awesome. Used two whole vanilla beans and 2 cups of Makers Mark in the secondary for 10 days.

No head at all even though it's carbonated, I'm blaming the oil in the vanilla beans, but it tastes so good I don't even care.

Here was my recipe:

3 lbs. dark DME (beginning of boil)
5 lbs. light DME (end of boil)

12 oz. british brown malt
12 oz. american crystal 120L
1 lb. american chocolate
Steeped 25 mins 155.

1 oz. chinook 60 min
1 oz. kent goldings 15 min
1 oz. kent goldings flameout

OG: 1.078
FG: 1.019
IBU: 39
Wyeast 1056 (2 packs, no starter)

Beavdowg · 03-11-2010, 08:48 PM

Should we be using vanilla extract so we can get some head or stick to the beans?

**Lil' Sparky** · 03-11-2010, 08:54 PM

If you use extract, make sure it's 100% pure vanilla extract. It's usually not cheap.

Beavdowg · 03-11-2010, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil' Sparky

If you use extract, make sure it's 100% pure vanilla extract. It's usually not cheap.

How much extract would you recommend? This is about 3/4 way through primary right now.

thanks

**Lil' Sparky** · 03-12-2010, 04:07 PM

If you're using extract, you can add it at bottling. Start with 2 oz / 5 gal, mix it in well, try a taste and go from there. You're looking for a slight hint. You don't want it overpowering.

**OsbornBrewing** · 03-20-2010, 07:42 PM

The night before you rack, pour your bourbon, I use Jim Beam, over 2 ounces of oak chips for wine making. Dump this whole slurry into your secondary with the vanilla.

The "oak-wood aging" gives you a taste and drinkability... ahhh I'm plagiarizing!!! Anyways, this is an AWESOME beer.

Also, I have had good luck with doubling the yeast. The OG is so high, you ABSOLUTELY should make a starter at a minimum. I make my starter with 2 packs White Labs Ale Yeast.