Brown Ale Secondary Something...

[comet909]

So,

From the national homebrew big brew I've got 10 gallons of Bucksnort brown.

I'm kegging 5 gal as is for a party. But I wanted to do something else with the other 5 gallons in secondary.

Here's the recipe for those unfamiliar...

Bucksnort Brown Ale – All Grain
American Brown Ale

Recipe for 5.25 gallons (19.8 L)

10 lb pale two-row malt (4.54 kg)
8 oz 90˚ L crystal malt (227 g)
8 oz 60˚ L crystal malt (227 g)
6.5 oz chocolate malt (184 g)
1 oz black patent malt (28 g)
0.75 oz Willamette whole hops, 5.7% a.a. (21 g) (80 min)
0.75 oz Willamette whole hops, 5.7% a.a. (21g) (30 min)
1.25 oz Mt Hood whole hops, 6.1% a.a. (35 g) (15 min)
0.75 oz Willamette whole hops, 5.7% a.a. (21 g) (5 min)
1 tablet Whirlfloc or 0.75 tsp (3 g) Irish moss (15 min)
2 pkgs Wyeast No. 1056 American ale yeast, Safeale US-05, or White Labs WLP001


Brewers Specifics
Mash grains at 154˚ F (68˚ C) for 1 hour. Sparge at 168˚ F (76˚ C). Bring to a boil. Add hops at specified intervals from end of boil. Chill to 65-67 °F (18-19 °C) and pitch yeast. Secure air lock or blow-off tube. Ferment at 66-68 ⁰F (20-21 ⁰C). Keg at 2.4 volumes of CO₂ or bottle carbonate with 3.7 oz (105 g) corn sugar.


Boil Time: 80 min
Original Gravity: 1.058
Final Gravity: 1.014
SRM: 22
IBU: 38
Brewhouse Efficiency: 75%


Here's a list of things that I've got on hand... Any thoughts.

A Vanilla Bean...

Dry Hop? Best fit are some Styrian Goldings I've got.

Medium Toast French Oak Cubes.

Maybe some bourbon?

I worry that the oak or bourbon might be too much for this beer (1.058 OG)

 

[jdauria]

I would not dry hop a brown ale, but that's my own preference. However, I would say yes to oaking it. Someone in my club oaked the Northern Brewer Caribou Slobber Brown ale and it was awesome. Just don't do for too long, don't want to over do it. The vanilla bean may be a nice touch too!

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

I gotta second the oaking plan. Medium toast would go great with a brown. I have dry hopped browns before, but it's a bold American brown which I dry hop with ~.5 oz of Amarillo. I'd say with your beer and your choices, I'd go with the oak for sure.

 

[cmybeer]

Vanilla Oak since you have both on hand. But I would get that Vanilla out of there quickly so that it doesn't dominate. I think just a touch would be good.

 

[Bheher]

I agree with jdauria, use some oak if you want, dont dry hop a brown ale.

 

[comet909]

Thanks guys.