Jai Alai Cedar Aged IPA

[kjjohns5]

I've had both of the versions. White Oak twice, Humidor several times more than that. There is no doubt a distinct difference between the taste and aroma of each beer. The Humidor does not add a tropical note at all. It's very woody, but not earthy. Spanish cedar has a very unique flavor. The white oak provides a slight cloudy and almost chalky mouthfeel- not over powering, mind you, just noticeable. The flavor/aroma in the white oak is a papaya/pineapple note. They are very different beers. I definitely prefer the Humidor, but the White Oak is nice as well.

 

[WishYouWereBeer]

Ok. Thanks for the input. I haven't had either but the Humidor version seems to be pretty highly regarded so I wanted to try it out for my next IPA.

 

[aquajon1]

got my clone in the primary right now, and have some cedar that i want to add to the secondary, question is how do you sanitize the cedar?

 

[Irrenarzt]

soak it in some vodka or boil it for 10 minutes.

 

[aquajon1]

finially got this stuff into a keg this weekend. so far so good. tried a small glass today and it tastes great. I bought some of the real stuff and compared color and hit it spot on. will wait a week or two for a taste test between my brew and the real stuff.

 

[WrathsU]

For you guys interested in Spanish Cedar I found some here:

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=18538

I am going to be making a 5 gallon batch soonish and am going to split it up into 5 batches, one plain, one spanish cedar, one white oak, one walnut, and one maple.

 

[bovineblitz]

For you guys interested in Spanish Cedar I found some here:

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=18538

I am going to be making a 5 gallon batch soonish and am going to split it up into 5 batches, one plain, one spanish cedar, one white oak, one walnut, and one maple.

Def post the results, I'm curious to see how you like each batch.

 

[cercueil]

For you guys interested in Spanish Cedar I found some here:

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=18538

I am going to be making a 5 gallon batch soonish and am going to split it up into 5 batches, one plain, one spanish cedar, one white oak, one walnut, and one maple.

Thank you for the link. Please let me know how long you age it on the cedar. 2 weeks for me didn't seem to bring a lot out of the wood. I thought my wood wasn't very fresh though.

 

[cimirie]

*subscribed*

This brew is definitely on my brew calendar for the spring.

 

[passedpawn]

This will be my next beer. I've got 5 empty fermenters (shame!).

I just located some spanish cedar locally, so I'll be splitting the batch and leaving one on the cedar for 2 weeks. Prolly leave the other half alone.

 

[BobG]

This one is still in queue but I had the real deal while in Tampa last week. What a terrific beer. Way more wood in the flavor than I expected. Delicious.

Cheers,
Bob

 

[passedpawn]

Got some Spanish cedar spirals from Wayne Wambles at Cigar City. Man, you just wouldn't believe how aromatic, spicey cedar-y this wood is. I dropped it into an IPA that's been sitting on dry hops. Can't wait.

It smells EXACTLY like the Humidor Series IPA. I love that beer. I dream about it.

 

[bovineblitz]

Got some Spanish cedar spirals from Wayne Wambles at Cigar City. Man, you just wouldn't believe how aromatic, spicey cedar-y this wood is. I dropped it into an IPA that's been sitting on dry hops. Can't wait.

Wow that's awesome! Did you email him or just ask while you were at the brewery?

I'm gonna be there in February and would love to score some as well.

 

[passedpawn]

Wow that's awesome! Did you email him or just ask while you were at the brewery?

I'm gonna be there in February and would love to score some as well.

I've talked to Wayne about it previously (I see him about town occasionally). I was at the brewery to meet Charlie Papazian, and saw Wayne and he got them for me.

He is a supremely nice guy. If you can find him at the brewery, I'm sure he'll hook you up. (He's the head brewer)

Bring two large baggies. This stuff will stink up everything. The smell goes right through one baggie.

 

[cercueil]

Nice..I wonder where he gets them from? Are spirals specifically made for brewing or do they have any other purpose?

 

[passedpawn]

Nice..I wonder where he gets them from? Are spirals specifically made for brewing or do they have any other purpose?

No idea. I should have asked.

 

[Irrenarzt]

They are made for this specifically. They have no other application.

 

[aquajon1]

the cedar does smell awesome. i bought a board last yr and made my own version of a spiral.. cut it roughly 1"x1"x8" then used my chop saw to cut slits every 1/2" allmost all the way threw the wood. it is not round but does have alot of surface area...

i did a search on the web about spirals they are mostly used in wine and one of the websites went on to explain why they are cut spiral...

 

[bovineblitz]

Awesome, I'll send an email inquiring a few weeks before I'm headed there. Can't hurt

I looove the cedar J'ai Alai

 

[Jewrican]

how long does this sit on the cedar? I see the OP says 2 weeks, but curious what people have done with experience.

Where have people sourced this locally? Wondering if a specialty shop of any kind is likely to have this.

 

[SwampassJ]

Nice watch Flavor Flav. Maybe you can sweet talk him into distributing more beers out to us Atlantic coasters.

 

[Irrenarzt]

how long does this sit on the cedar? I see the OP says 2 weeks, but curious what people have done with experience.

Where have people sourced this locally? Wondering if a specialty shop of any kind is likely to have this.

Hey Jew,
Try your local Woodcraft store. They sell spanish cedar planks for woodworking. Cut them into small chunks with a chop saw and dose your beer for 2 weeks.

I made an IPA with spanish cedar, won a couple medals. Great beer.

 

[Jewrican]

Just an fyi, i called barrell mill and they want 7.75 or something for two spanish cedar spirals.

 

[Irrenarzt]

Nice. I never saw them on their site. Good that you called.

 

[passedpawn]

how long does this sit on the cedar? I see the OP says 2 weeks, but curious what people have done with experience.

Where have people sourced this locally? Wondering if a specialty shop of any kind is likely to have this.

7 days according to cigar city. I did 7 days and the cedar is quite pronounced. When you smell the wood you'll see why. I used spirals. (btw, my local Woodcraft did have Spanish cedar, per a phone call)

 

[TrubHead]

No comments on how the recipe compares to the original. Is the recipe that bad?

 

[nduetime]

I probably missed this somewhere but what makes cedar different from the other softwoods? I've read a lot about refraining from using softwoods in beer for one reason or another.

 

[passedpawn]

I probably missed this somewhere but what makes cedar different from the other softwoods? I've read a lot about refraining from using softwoods in beer for one reason or another.

Spanish Cedar is actually part of the mahogany family, so it's a hardwood. Don't know what that actually means though.

I added this wood to an IPA and it was phenomenal. Clone? I don't think so, but stunningly unique. I've got some more spanish cedar for my next IPA - can't wait!

 

[TrubHead]

Spanish Cedar is actually part of the mahogany family, so it's a hardwood. Don't know what that actually means though.

I added this wood to an IPA and it was phenomenal. Clone? I don't think so, but stunningly unique. I've got some more spanish cedar for my next IPA - can't wait!

passedpawn - Any comments as to how taste differs? Opinions appreciated.

 

[passedpawn]

passedpawn - Any comments as to how taste differs? Opinions appreciated.

Sorry, I didn't make the recipe in the OP. I added this wood to an IPA of my own. Sorry if something I posted above was misleading.