Pittsburgh/Western PA Group Buy - Round 2

[trent_77590]

Do any of your guys have any experience with using oak chips or oak cubes? I thinking of doing and oaked pale ale but have never used any oak before

 

[bja]

Do any of your guys have any experience with using oak chips or oak cubes? I thinking of doing and oaked pale ale but have never used any oak before

Only in wine.

 

[trent_77590]

Meh

 

[kpr121]

I did a Bourbon Pecan Porter that I used French oak chips in. Soaked a handful of chips in about 2 shots of Johnnie Walker in a mason jar for a week (during primary ferment), then added only the oak chips to secondary for another week (I didn’t dry the oak out, so some bourbon got in as well).

That beer had a whole lotta bourbon aroma/flavor to it, I had to let it sit for approximately 3-4 months before I liked it (I’m not a huge bourbon guy so YMMV). Over 1 ½ years later there are a few bottles still in the back of my fridge, and they get pulled out for the most special of occasions, its REALLY good.

I would taste test each day because the oak can quickly become overpowering if you leave it too long. Especially if you are trying to do a pale.

If you only want the oak flavor I would recommend soaking in vodka for a similar time period. Add only the chips and if you want a little more oomph than toss the vodka in too.

Im thinking my experience isn’t going to help you out much if you are doing a pale, but figured I’d share. You may want to start off with very little oak in secondary, and add more until you get a flavor you like.

 

[DMace]

My only experience with French oak chips is when I used some in a Russian Imperial Stout. Like KPR, I soaked 2 oz oak chips in 6 oz of Jameson. After 7 day in the primary, I added the chips and whiskey into the 5.5 gallon batch of RIS. I let it age 17 days before bottling. When I tasted it in the hydrometer sample (yeah, I taste them) I was worried that the oak might be too overpowering. However, I entered this beer into the Oak-Aged category of a competition, and the judges said that they tasted the whiskey, but not the oak. Needless to say, it didn't score so well.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share. My example was in a huge beer with all sorts of dark specialty malts. If you're doing a pale ale, I would follow kpr's advice and definitely sanitize it, then try an ounce and add more if you want it stronger.

 

[trent_77590]

Yeah I read an oz of chips for a 5g batch. How do you sanitize the chips though? I would like to avoid soaking in alcohol if possible. I think I read somewhere that someone steamed them. I brew an Arrogant Bastard clone fairly often so Im looking to either make an Oaked AB or just add some oak flavor to my haus ale

 

[kpr121]

Yeah I read an oz of chips for a 5g batch. How do you sanitize the chips though? I would like to avoid soaking in alcohol if possible. I think I read somewhere that someone steamed them. I brew an Arrogant Bastard clone fairly often so Im looking to either make an Oaked AB or just add some oak flavor to my haus ale

Why the reservation on soaking in alcohol? Vodka will be practically unnoticable, especially if you drain it from the oak before adding.

 

[trent_77590]

The alcohol-ish flavor. If vodka leaves no off flavor I will use it then

 

[dand9066]

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing. Can't say that I've brewed much or am even close to needing more grain but I figured I'd see how everyone else is. I know it's DMace's busy season and he probably couldn't be the drop location but if people need grain and are willing to come to Indiana pa 15701 I could have grain delivered to my place of business.

Just seeing if there is interest.

Cheers all!

 

[swackattack]

Im interested and could pick up in Indiana

 

[PJM]

I'm still in very Good shape for grain but thanks for asking

 

[kpr121]

Ive probably used about 50 of the 250 lbs I got, I estimate I will be good until some time this fall. But if you get enough interest I could probably have my arm twisted for a couple splits lol.

 

[trent_77590]

Im good for a few more batches. How did the trub-zilla lager come out? On my first all gain batch i had about four bottles with 2 inches trub in them because i wanted to get every drop of beer possible

 

[coyote68]

dale,
i am interested i've got about half of my grains left but will need more for fall brewing.
thanks again for all you've done. we still have to get together for a brew/sample day!!

 

[simonh]

I'm all set on the grains too.. have some batches planned for the next few weeks, but haven't done too much. Maybe beginning of the fall or so would make more sense?

 

[simonh]

..and I'd be up for a tasting / trading or brew day sometime anywhere near Pittsburgh (I'm in Swissvale).

With a 1+ year old in the house, time is limited, but I can always make time for beer!

 

[zcrxt]

I would be in for more grains. Keep us updated. Thanks again

 

[hop_head76]

I'm good until fall probably October/November. I will be ready for sure by then!

 

[bmickey]

Definitely will be ready this fall!

 

[hio3791]

Count me in for the fall!

 

[dand9066]

There seems to be a couple people interested and I know there were a couple people that missed the first buy.

What I'll do is start another sheet this weekend. It will be the same sheet unless I run into problems that way those who have participated before will have access. New buyers will have to give me the required info to get access. Well shut it down at one pallet.

If I'm not able to get it going this weekend I'll let you all know. Well either way I'll keep you posted.

 

[faithinchaos]

might need some more wheat and maybe even a bag of rye. still good on barley as i didn't end up making the bunch of high grav beers i had originally planned during the last group buy.

 

[bmickey]

Hey guys! Did the new sheet get started?

 

[dand9066]

Hey guys! Did the new sheet get started?

I didn't get it going yet.

I'll post a link to here when I get it going.

 

[coyote68]

awsome!!

 

[scurry64]

I may be interested in participating. Are the links and the info in the OP still accurate?

 

[dand9066]

I may be interested in participating. Are the links and the info in the OP still accurate?

I'll start a new thread but The links should be the same. The pricing from country malt should be close but as with the last buy prices changed a little. Some less some more.

 

[ButcherBoy]

I got into a sheet, using the old link, labeled 'Round 3' but there are no names and it won't let me enter one. I'm hoping to pick up some splits on this round, could use some crystal malts but don't think I can use 55lbs.

 

[coyote68]

butcher boy, i can use some splits also so let me know what your interested in.

 

[hio3791]

I may be interested in splitting c60.