Oak Chips - When to add

[Estrada]

I am brewing a beer that I have done before and want to change things up a bit (the beer is a coconut, chocolate, vanilla and espresso porter). I want to add in some rum soaked oak Chips, as well as some raspberry puree. Assuming the raspberry will go in the secondary, when is the best time to toss in the oak Chips?

Thanks!

 

[okiedog]

You can add them either to your primary or secondary or even both, if you want a lot of oak flavor. What type of oak chips? French oak has a more subtle flavor than American. Also, light, medium and dark roast all add different flavors.

 

[Estrada]

Thanks! Using American oak chips - have about 5 oz for 2.5 gallons

 

[okiedog]

That's a lot of oak chips, even for 5 gallons. How long do you plan on leaving in your beer? I have used 2-3 oz. for 5 gallons, left in the fermenter for 2 weeks. Perhaps someone else should way in on this subject and give you more perspective. For 2.5 gallons, 1.5 oz sounds better to me.

 

[catdaddy66]

I used 1.25oz of French oak chips in a 5 gal Scottish 80 for 8-10 days and had a subtle but noticeable oak character. With American chips stronger than French, 1oz in 2.5 gal would be my upper limit.

I am no oak chip guru or anything, just saying...