How much vanilla for a vanilla porter?

[lumpher]

It's best if you wrap them in saran wrap and then seal them in an airtight container. Then you can refrigerate them for up to 6 months or so.

 

[Denny]

I just kegged a smoked vanilla porter last night. I used 2 beans. I cut them into 5-6 pieces each, boiled them for 10 minutes to sterilize them (covered, to keep their "essence" and not let it boil out), and then dumped them into the primary. 1 week later, it was ready to keg; no more vanilla needed, as it was pretty strong.

Do yourself a favor and never boil them again. It's not necessary and you're boiling off the flavor.

 

[jrcrilly]

1. the inside of the bean is filled with small, sticky seeds. That's where most of the flavor is. Use a knife to scrape them out and add them.

2. Just toss 'em in

3. primary might be OK, but I've always used them in secondary

I agree. I don't secondary, though. I throw them into the primary 5-7 days before kegging. Two beans do the job for 5 gallons of robust porter.

 

[Denny]

I agree. I don't secondary, though. I throw them into the primary 5-7 days before kegging. Two beans do the job for 5 gallons of robust porter.

I almost never secondary unless I'm making an addition like this (or mushrooms) or unless I dry hop.

 

[xCSx]

Make sure you get the vanilla beans fresh or else they will become very brittle...