Brewing With Vanilla Beans

[metanoia]

My only concern with using dark brown sugar is that I will end up with beer that is maybe too dry for my liking. I want to boost the ABV slightly and wouldn't mind a slight flavor contribution. I've already increased the LME by about 1/2 lb, but maybe I'll just increase that by another 1/2 lb and ixnay the brown sugar.

What kind of yeast are you planning on using? You could always pick something that's less attentive and you'll finish with a slightly higher FG, thus less dry. I'll be using WLP005, I've heard it doesn't go much past 70-75%.

 

[YeastMode]

Someone needs to tell these people that their sale pricing is off. 84 cents a bean if you buy 10, 91 cents a bean if you buy 25. Someone was drinking a little too much vanilla bourbon stout when they put these on sale...

Ha, didn't even notice that. I previously ordered 10, and gave away 7 to other brewers in the area as a "good will" gesture.

 

[castillo556]

If anyone is still buying vanilla beans at the LHBS they are crazy.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/vanillaproducts/m.html?item=290678146987&hash=item43adc487ab&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

about 50 cents a bean in bulk shipped free. Split it up with family or friends if you don't need that many. Vanilla extract also makes good gifts as it's very expensive in stores.

 

[Newsman]

Amazon has a 1/2 pound of "B" grade Madagascar / Bourbon vanilla beans for $34, plus free NON-Amazon Prime shipping. Here's the link

 

[metanoia]

Looks like our LHBS has them for $4 for 2. If I'm only making one batch and don't plan on making extract, I'd go that route. Otherwise, stick to Amazon- can't beat 40 beans, 4 different varieties, for $20 shipped. Certainly don't pay the $10 for a jar of 2 at the grocery store!

 

[mrgrimm101]

What kind of yeast are you planning on using? You could always pick something that's less attentive and you'll finish with a slightly higher FG, thus less dry. I'll be using WLP005, I've heard it doesn't go much past 70-75%.

I was just going to use US-05 and rehydrate before pitching. I've not yet moved up to using liquid yeast. I could use US-04 as well, I just typically use US-05.

 

[cernst151]

Something to note is that vanilla beans have a surprising amount of flavor in them. I make my own extract and just pour vodka over a split bean in the bottle and soak it. I can use the same bean multiple times by just refilling the vodka when I'm done.

What I'm saying is that if you don't chop up your bean you can reuse it. You could just split it and toss it into your secondary (whether you do vodka soak or not) then after bottling you can just pull the bean out, rinse it off and reuse it for either extract or another beer. I would definitely do a vodka soak if I was putting it in a second beer.

Splitting the bean down the middle will greatly speed up the flavor extraction and if it's just split once it's easy to reuse. Chopping it into pieces will give you a slightly faster flavor extraction than that but then you have almost no chance of reusing the bean.

 

[mrgrimm101]

Im alright with not reusing the bean. Im thinking 1-2 beans will give me what im looking for in this particular recipe.

 

[mrgrimm101]

If im splitting and adding vodka in a container, do i need to scrape the insides, or can i just split and the vodka will go to work. I was just going to pour the whole mixture into either primary or secondary and then do more vanilla/vodka at the time of bottling if i felt that it needed it.

Also, how long does the extract have to sit? The guy at my LHBS said it takes about a month of soaking the bean to create the extract that I can use. I'm reading on here that it only takes a week. Which is it?

 

[mdbrewer1]

How much cinnamon did you use initially? Or was it all in the pumpkin pie spice? I'm trying to determine how much to use in my brew tomorrow, I've seen such varying amounts. I'm thinking of sticking low with only 2tsp cinnamon and ginger, plus 1tsp allspice and nutmeg for a gingerbread brown. Plus, 8-12oz of molasses in the boil with the spices, and 1 sliced vanilla bean in the fermenter until it extracts enough flavor.

I did 1/2 tsp of pumpkin pie spice in my 2.5 gallon batch and then did a couple extra heavy shakes of cinnamon on top of that.

It reminded me of Dogfish Head's version, but with that extra dose of cinnamon. Just enough pumpkin pie flavor on the finish for my taste.

Edit to add: The cinnamon flavor/nose was stronger out of the hydrometer tube. The little bit of leftovers from bottling that I poured into a regular serving glass weren't quite as strong on the cinnamon. I'll have to make sure people pour them into a glass and not drink them from the bottle.

 

[mdbrewer1]

If im splitting and adding vodka in a container, do i need to scrape the insides, or can i just split and the vodka will go to work. I was just going to pour the whole mixture into either primary or secondary and then do more vanilla/vodka at the time of bottling if i felt that it needed it.

Also, how long does the extract have to sit? The guy at my LHBS said it takes about a month of soaking the bean to create the extract that I can use. I'm reading on here that it only takes a week. Which is it?

I cut my beans down the center just enough to cut through one side so I can peel it open and use a knife to scoop out the seeds. I toss the seeds in the vodka/rum/bourbon and then poke at the clumps to get them to separate a little better, chop up the beans, and throw the pieces in.

I soaked the beans for my stout for a little over a week and the whole mixture smelled divine. I probably could have gotten more flavor extracted if they sat longer since I did end up adding some straight vanilla extract at bottling.

I soaked the beans and spices in Captain Morgan for my Pumptoberfest. It smelled strongly of rum when I poured it in, but it didn't contribute anything to the flavor when I tasted it. Maybe that will change after it carbs up, but it was only 2 oz. in 2.5 gallons of beer.

 

[unionrdr]

I let mine sit for some 3 weeks during primary fermentation. 4 or 5 weeks might've been better. But three weeks was darn good.

 

[mrgrimm101]

I plan on leaving it in primary for about 3 weeks then either transferring with the vanilla, or just tossing the vanilla in primary (havent decided yet). I can prepare the vanilla so that it soaks for that 3 weeks

 

[unionrdr]

Do it. Get them soaking before brewing the beer. The flavor will be better.

 

[mrgrimm101]

Ha well I want to brew tomorrow, and I'm going to my LHBS after work today to get the ingredients and vanilla..so i can get them going tonight (1 day before brew day).

Is there a certain brand of vodka I should use, or would any kind work? I don't want to go out and buy a bottle of Grey Goose when I have Burnett's already lol.

 

[unionrdr]

Any plain un-flavored vodka will do. Even cheap grocery store stuff works.

 

[YeastMode]

Is there a certain brand of vodka I should use, or would any kind work? I don't want to go out and buy a bottle of Grey Goose when I have Burnett's already lol.

Stoli. Not because it will serve the purpose any better, but because you can drink the remainder. A handle of Popov would, at least to me, would be around a while.

 

[mrgrimm101]

Perfect. Thanks everyone you have all been extremely helpful..as usual. Wish me luck!

 

[metanoia]

Ha well I want to brew tomorrow, and I'm going to my LHBS after work today to get the ingredients and vanilla..so i can get them going tonight (1 day before brew day).

Sounds like exactly what I'm doing after work today- grains, whirlfloc, and PBW. Do you have a good LHBS up there in Lansing? I've been very pleased with Adventures in Homebrewing here in Taylor, plus it helps to have them only 5 minutes down the street, especially for emergencies on brewdays!

 

[unionrdr]

I gotta head out in a few minutes myself. Son borrowed a fancy digital SLR from his lab at JVS. Need some nature/sunset pics.

 

[metanoia]

Let's see one of those pics make it on to a beer bottle!

 

[mrgrimm101]

Sounds like exactly what I'm doing after work today- grains, whirlfloc, and PBW. Do you have a good LHBS up there in Lansing? I've been very pleased with Adventures in Homebrewing here in Taylor, plus it helps to have them only 5 minutes down the street, especially for emergencies on brewdays!

Red Salamander in Grand Ledge is my go-to store. It is about 10 min from my house. They usually have all the ingredients I need and they are usually quite helpful. Though, they can occasionally be a bit elitist.

I've not been to Capital City Homebrew Supply in Lansing, but I hear good things. Whenever I call there, they seem to have just sold out of a few of the ingredients that I need.

 

[mrgrimm101]

Alright, my LHBS had packages of 6 beans that come in resealable bags. I only used one. What is the best way to store the other beans for future use?

 

[mdbrewer1]

Alright, my LHBS had packages of 6 beans that come in resealable bags. I only used one. What is the best way to store the other beans for future use?

The ones I get from Costco come in a little tube with a stopper so I keep mine there. I imagine you could vacuum seal them if you have one. If not, a resealable bag might be your best bet.

Good luck with brew! Report back with your results.

 

[unionrdr]

Let's see one of those pics make it on to a beer bottle!

I'm hoping fort some good shots for just that purpose! Maybe another month before warm lake water hits cold air to get fog on the lake at sunset or sun up. That'll be for my Lake Erie Steam-dampfbier label. Raining today, darn it. Wanted to hit cascade park for some fall shots. That'd be good for an amber or ESB or?...

 

[unionrdr]

Let's see one of those pics make it on to a beer bottle!

I'm hoping for some good shots for just that purpose! Maybe another month before warm lake water hits cold air to get fog on the lake at sunset or sun up. That'll be for my Lake Erie Steam-dampfbier label. Raining today, darn it. Wanted to hit cascade park for some fall shots. That'd be good for an amber or ESB or?...

 

[YeastMode]

Alright, my LHBS had packages of 6 beans that come in resealable bags. I only used one. What is the best way to store the other beans for future use?

I use a mason jar. So long as you use the remainder within a reasonable time (6 months?) I have not had an issue. I just don't open it often.

 

[mrgrimm101]

It was quite fun creating the extract. I ended up getting a package of 6 beans from my LHBS. I took 1 and split it open, scraped the meat, then I diced up the bean shell and added it all to a small tupperware container with about 4 oz of plain vodka. After a couple days it smells amazing. I am going to let it go for about 3 weeks, then I will add it to my secondary after I transfer my beer.

I must say, vanilla beans are quite pungent and oily lol. It was hard not getting the meat all over my fingers, but I think I did it right. I will post results as soon as I am drinking on of the beers.

 

[unionrdr]

I used an exacto knife with the rounded blade to scrape & chop the beans. Was a little neater for me.

 

[mrgrimm101]

I used a filet knife. It cut through pretty well, but it wasn't the best at scraping the little seeds out. I got most of it though. Based on how the extract smells so far, I'd say I did a sufficient job.