Wood-Aged Beer Pirate Strong Ale

[j1laskey]

I don't have experience with that yeast. But, I can't see why it wouldn't work as long as it's a neutral, and alcohol tolerant strain.

 

[pwortiz]

My shavings vs chips....

 

[j1laskey]

These are the chips I used

But I am sure the ones you have will work just fine too.

 

[pwortiz]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure they will too...I almost ordered the other ones but then thought, "wth....I should at least try this!" So, I am planning to use a muslin bag after sifting all the dusty particles out and just hanging on to the main chip pieces. Looking forward to it. Will be brewing on Tuesday I think!

BTW, how many days do you get your starter going prior to brewing? I figured I'd get it started Saturday afternoon/night and that would be enough time by Tuesday afternoon for pitching. I will most likely just pitch the whole thing and not decant.

 

[j1laskey]

Agree those chips are a-ok.

My starters is typically 36 hrs old when I pitch, and I pitch the whole thing and never decant. Haven't had any problems yet.

 

[Draygon]

I brewed this one today. The only thing i altered in the recipe was adding in 2 C of sugar, figured its a strong ale...wth lets make it put my friends on their ass after having one, lol. Even with that extra sugar added I must have killed the efficiency (havent plugged into beer smith yet) but my OG came out at 1.091-1.092.

Oh i did screw up when making my starter, the WL060 was shaken by my son and i didnt realize it so when i opened it to add to the mini wort....yea, went all over. So what i did get added is now mixed with WL001 because thats what i had in the fridge. Kinda curious how the mix will turn out.

 

[j1laskey]

1.091 - 1.092 that's a BIG beer

 

[pwortiz]

Got my starter going yesterday and it's chugging along nicely looking forward to Friday brewing!!

 

[pwortiz]

J, the boil smells amazing I cannot WAIT to try this.

 

[j1laskey]

Looks great. Now you only have to wait at least 5 more weeks,...that's if you keg

 

[pwortiz]

I don't keg...yet. I keep buying supplies (100 lbs of DME recently) storage containers, fermenters....it's like an addiction. And it's ending up all over my basement and my SWMBO get's a little frustrated. So I hand her a beer and she calms down for a bit

So, I'll be bottling this one. But, It'll be ready in time for a beach trip we have planned at the end of July.

I came in a little lower than expected on my OG at 1.076. I'll be curious to see what the FG measure comes to. It's already bubblin' away thanks to that starter though so I have high hopes.

Thanks again for sharing this!

 

[j1laskey]

Usually a 10oz pour but tonight it's a 16oz...looking forward to the weekend you guys.

 

[bgrimmer]

So when you head to bottle stage do you have to prime or Is their enough sugar left to carb on its own?

 

[Draygon]

You have to prime to get the carbonation needed. Not enough sugar left if its sat in primary/secondary long enough.

My batch is still actively fermenting..going strong now for 10 days!

 

[bgrimmer]

Local brew didn't have American ale so I went with WL california ale p001 no starter dumped 2 tubes see what happens come the morning time! Used DME vice 2 row but had torttied wheat an other.

 

[SoupNazi]

Bottled this last night. Used 2 oz dextrose and 3 oz brown sugar because it was all that was in hand. I had a fg of 1.017. tasted like pineapple, cinnamon and rum. Ill have to save some of these for the fall time.

 

[j1laskey]

Some Pirate in a big glass, smoking ribs, pandora killing some tunes....not a bad day

 

[j1laskey]

And....going to use it for the 2 step on the 3-2-1 method for smoking ribs

 

[pwortiz]

DAMMMMMMIT!!!! I'm still sittin' here waitin' for this bloomin' thing. I have 12 days before I rack onto the flippin' oak chips......argh. Speakin' of which, 24 hours in advance, I may toss the vanilla bean into the oak/rum solution then toss into the carboy/bucket. Not sure yet. The stuff looks better in the back yard in that Duvel glass too. I ended up buying the 4pack gift pack 2 x just to get that glass after I broke it by accident

 

[Draygon]

Racked to secondary yesterday, so now to wait another week or so to bottle and condition.
As i said the OG was 1.091, final gravity came in at 1.010 --10.8% abv before the rum adds a bit to it. So yea hopefully this will be tasty...going to be an ass kicker as is

 

[pwortiz]

Holy crap, Draygon. That IS going to drop some people. I already planned to go and get some new glasses for this brew due to the %. I only have 16oz flip top bottles and I think it will be in everyone's interest to have a smaller glass of thisn'.

 

[j1laskey]

Five weeks in the keg and this stuff just gets better

 

[bgrimmer]

So OG was 1.080 and bubbling away, dropped a few cloves in with the cinnamon, used 1 clove for each gallon and a few French roast coffee beans to try and give hints.
It smells grate coming out of the air lock and a nice amber color in the fermenter, a couple more days to the secondary cant wait to see the color in the glass carboy!

 

[bgrimmer]

Moved into second ferm, gravity is 1.014

 

[bgrimmer]

Did a taste reminded me of an IPA, but it still has time with the oak and rum

 

[j1laskey]

I am half way through my keg...

 

[pwortiz]

lol, all that means is you need to make more. I racked onto the oak chips this past Friday and washed the yeast so I could make more of this later in the year. SG was 1.014 down from 1.076 so I'm doing OK so far I think.

I am surprised by the airlock activity....well, lack thereof anyway. It's completely still - sorta eerie. Like, not even up at all. That normal?

 

[AirricK]

What can I use as a substitute for the Weyermann CaraAroma? My local homebrew shop does not stock this. Thanks!

 

[Gear101]

Nice I am going to have to try this

 

[j1laskey]

You could sub for Belgian Special B but not sure what the conversion would be.