Flavoring a stout

[rjolin01]

About a week ago I brewed an Irish Stout extract kit from Midwest Supplies. It is in my glass 6.5 gallon carboy and I planned on transferring to a 5gal bigmouth I have. I was thinking of adding some flavor to it in form of vanilla. Question is should I just use pure vanilla extract and add to secondary or would whole beans be the way to go? Any suggestions on how much to use either way? Thanks for the advice.

Thanks and cheers

 

[Sailingeric]

I have used double strength extract. I added to taste, as I wanted a hint of vanilla and not like I was drinking a vanilla bean.

 

[Terek]

its personal taste. Each gives its own "flavor" I prefer beans, but thats me

 

[eadavis80]

I've done AIH's Vanilla porter kit twice and it comes with 2 beans. Cut 'em up and soak the cut up beans in vodka (I used vanilla flavored vodka actually) for a couple days prior to racking and let it condition in secondary for two weeks. I was happy with the result.

 

[Firewalker11]

I've done AIH's Vanilla porter kit twice and it comes with 2 beans. Cut 'em up and soak the cut up beans in vodka (I used vanilla flavored vodka actually) for a couple days prior to racking and let it condition in secondary for two weeks. I was happy with the result.

I second the whole beans in vodka. Enough to make it noticeable but not enough to be annoying.

 

[rjolin01]

I've done AIH's Vanilla porter kit twice and it comes with 2 beans. Cut 'em up and soak the cut up beans in vodka (I used vanilla flavored vodka actually) for a couple days prior to racking and let it condition in secondary for two weeks. I was happy with the result.

So as a newb to secondary fermentation and flavor adding, you put the bean and vodka all in fermenter when racking? How much vodka did you use for two beans? I know to taste but I would like a starting point.

 

[d3track]

its personal taste. Each gives its own "flavor" I prefer beans, but thats me

Me too. I age on the beans, no vodka. To me soaking in vodka gives it more of the vanilla extract flavor.

 

[rjolin01]

Me too. I age on the beans, no vodka. To me soaking in vodka gives it more of the vanilla extract flavor.

Do you slice open the beans or just toss while ones into fermenter?