Oak Spirals

[theonlysurfnbeer]

Hello everyone. I've had my imperial stout in the secondary for a while and I want to try oak spirals before I bottle. I would like to go for a bourbon barrel flavor. Has anyone done this? If so, can you give me a step by step? Thanks in advance!

 

[omayhemo]

How'd it turn out? I'm interested in the technique myself.

 

[Lennie]

For a bourbon barrel flavor I'd use a spiral (or half of one, you can snap them in half) and then add 1/2cup of good bourbon as well. You can hang the spiral in the beer on a string (fishing line works). I use oak cubes myself, cheaper and easy to add in whatever increments you want.

 

[Yooper]

For a bourbon barrel flavor I'd use a spiral (or half of one, you can snap them in half) and then add 1/2cup of good bourbon as well. You can hang the spiral in the beer on a string (fishing line works). I use oak cubes myself, cheaper and easy to add in whatever increments you want.

You don't even have to hang them- they can go right into the carboy.

 

[theonlysurfnbeer]

Thanks for the feedback. I havn't done it yet. So should the oak be soaked in bourbon? A whole spiral is to much?

 

[Lennie]

it depends on how much oak you want and how long you want to wait. Spirals take several weeks to deliver all their flavor, cubes/beans take up to six weeks. If you add more you'll get what you want in a shorter time.

I haven't soaked my oak before adding but some do. Or you can bring a small amount of water to a boil and add the oak product to sanitize it, then add the oak and water to the beer.

 

[theonlysurfnbeer]

Thanks Lennie. I'm going for big and boozy. Like bourbon county stout, etc. leaning toward soakin the oak spirals in some 18 year Elijah Craig single barrel and going from there. I shouldn't need to sanitize if I do that right?

 

[wayloncash]

I've used bourbon barrel oak chips, approx 1 cup per 5 gallons, after i toasted them slightly in the oven for 20-30 minutes. I add these to my bourbon barrel brown ale which comes out great with the chip addition. Taken a silver and bronze medals with this technique.

 

[Lennie]

The whiskey will do the job as far as sanitizing.

I just added some more Wild Turkey to my oaked bourbon vanilla imperial porter, I intend to keg this evening.