jmarshall
Well-Known Member
I'm thinking about using oats in a recipe for a belgian specialty ale that would be aged for at least a few months. My plan is to use raw whole oats, toast them, and use them as roughly 7% of fermentables in a beer also containing about 15% wheat, 15% dark candi syrup, and the rest barley. I plan to try my hand at a ceral mash for this. Fermentation will be with a belgian yeast with some brett added. I'm thinking month primary, at least a month secondary, then at least a month in bottles.
I can't remember the reference, but I read somewhere that oats aren't usually used in beers that are going to be aged because they contain a higher proportion of lipid and can cause off flavors. Is there any truth to this? Also, does anyone have an idea of whether the Bglucans will be metabolized by the brett to any bad effect? I'm all about experimenting, but if anyone already has experience with this with poor results, I'd rather not ruin a whole batch if I can help it, but I like the contribution oats make in Wit and the slightly nutty flavor from toasted oats.
I can't remember the reference, but I read somewhere that oats aren't usually used in beers that are going to be aged because they contain a higher proportion of lipid and can cause off flavors. Is there any truth to this? Also, does anyone have an idea of whether the Bglucans will be metabolized by the brett to any bad effect? I'm all about experimenting, but if anyone already has experience with this with poor results, I'd rather not ruin a whole batch if I can help it, but I like the contribution oats make in Wit and the slightly nutty flavor from toasted oats.