I added 2 split vanilla beans and a handful of medium toasted American oak cubes to a 5 gallon batch. It was in the primary for 4 weeks then I racked to a secondary and added the vanilla/oak. It's been two weeks so far. After 1 week I couldn't taste any vanilla or oak but it's probably too...
Both of the 5 gal batches I started last week bubbled out through the airlocks and I had to swap them out. My first batch foamed up but nothing like these two. Is there any particular reason for that?
I'm working on a winter cider recipe using vanilla bean and toasted oak chips and am looking for some input. This is what I have so far.......
5 gal apple juice
2.5lb honey
1 packet Lavlin-1118
?? vanilla beans
?? American oak chips (med toast)
3-4 weeks in primary
rack to secondary...
This is my first attempt at brewing cider. I'm on week 5 but am planning on continuing in the primary for at least another 4 weeks. Can I take a sample from the carboy using a sanitized wine theif then replace the seal?
Any advice is greatly appreciated!