jrspru

Recipes 

try farmhousebrewingsupply.com I just bought 6 for $6.50.

Kurtamous

Recipes 

It sounds like you all are running into some expensive beans; my LHBS has em in a pack for 6.80 containing 12 beans. Being part of a local brew club takes 10% of as well so they are about 50 cents a pop.

I soaked 4 beans in about a 3 shots of Froggy B vodka (80 proof) after splitting, scraping the insides, and cutting them up (inch long pieces or so). I split the lot into two 5 gallon carboys that I racked a porter into. Will let ya know how it goes!

jimmayhugh

Recipes 

The Trader Joe's that I frequent has whole vanilla beans. As I recall they were about $7.99 for two large beans. They also have a very good vanilla extract that's $4.99 for 4oz.

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KuzinChaos

Recipes 

how long do you keep the beans in the secondary fermenter? 1 or 2 weeks?

darkeagle03

Recipes 

I'm a newbie to home brewing and want to add some vanilla to my second-ever batch of beer, so I'm reading through these forums on tips. I just want to mention that Amazon has some good deals on vanilla beans if you can't get good prices locally. I just ordered a 1/4 lb pack (~27 beans) for $19. It's technically sold by JR Mushrooms & Specialties. They also sell a 1 lb bag for $52 (so basically 50 cents / bean). It's Prime eligible so the shipping is free and it got here in 2 days. I'll happily throw up a link, but not sure if that's allowed on these forums. I plan to buy a lot of these kinds of ingredients from Amazon in the future due to the combination of speed (with Prime), ease, and cost.

Off Topic - does anyone know of a good LHBS in the Alexandria, VA area? (specifically near Old Town if possible). Please PM me if you do, so as to not hijack this thread. Thanks, and happy brewing!

steinsato

Recipes 

Good lord that is a lot of vanilla beans. It would take me years to use that many. 2-3 beans per 5 gallons is all I use and I only make one batch of vanilla porter a year.

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TimTrone

Recipes 

I use coffee and vanilla beans in a imperial stout. Damn fine combo

darkeagle03

Recipes 

well it is possible to use vanilla beans for things other than brewing beer I've got plans to use them in other alcohol, sauces, some desserts (home made vanilla bean ice cream?), teas, and I've already tried some in sprite and that turned out well