How much tincture for 4.5 gallons?

[leedspointbrew]

This 8 oz jar is almost 100% full of Michter's bourbon and five vanilla beans that I split about a week ago. I am going to use some / all of it in the pumpkin ale that's currently been fermenting the same amount of time when I bottle it next Sunday - I was planning on straining it into my bucket on top of the bottling sugar. If anyone is experienced in the use of tinctures and would like to offer input the best quantity to use, I would greatly appreciate it. I'm thinking that less-is-more and using about half, but again, would defer to anyone who has used tincture in a similar brew.
TIA

 

[hottpeper13]

I don't think there is a set amount because each one is different. what I've done is using the thief take 50 ml samples and add 1 ml to one then 2 ml to the next and so on. Taste and see which one you like most. Just do the math and add what it tells you.

 

[sibelman]

each one is different

This. It might be possible to develop a consistent tincture recipe with a consistent result over several batches. Without that, testing must be your guide, @leedspointbrew. I hope you enjoy your Vanilla Pumpkin Ale.

 

[Rish]

When I use tinctures I strain them to another container. Then, after transferring beer to my bottling bucket on top of priming sugar solution, I add a little tincture (usually about half of what I think I'll need), stir gently, taste and repeat until I get it where I want it. Good luck!

 

[leedspointbrew]

When I use tinctures I strain them to another container. Then, after transferring beer to my bottling bucket on top of priming sugar solution, I add a little tincture (usually about half of what I think I'll need), stir gently, taste and repeat until I get it where I want it. Good luck!

So if I have just under 8 oz of this mixture / tincture, I was thinking about using half of it, in the method you describe.

 

[sibelman]

add a little tincture (usually about half of what I think I'll need), stir gently, taste and repeat until I get it where I want it.

To reduce time and stirring of the beer, this can be done with a glassful, an eyedropper with volume marks, and a bit of arithmetic.

This is a bit more complicated, and may only be worth it if there's a closed transfer method to mitigate oxygen ingress during bottling.

Cheers!