Experimental Beer Slim's Graham Cracker Ale 2.0

[kmac666]

I read through the posts and didn't see the answeres to a couple of questions: 1) I'm assuming g crackers go in mash?, when do I add brown sugar amid chocolate?

 

[demons210]

I read through the posts and didn't see the answeres to a couple of questions: 1) I'm assuming g crackers go in mash?, when do I add brown sugar amid chocolate?

The gram crackers do go in the mash and you add the sugar and chocolate to the beginning of the boil.

 

[kmac666]

The gram crackers do go in the mash and you add the sugar and chocolate to the beginning of the boil.

Thanks

 

[Jbatten22]

So I have this in my primary at the moment.
I have never used vanilla bean before and was wondering if it was totally necessary and if so what's the best practice?

Thanks

 

[sparky701]

So I have this in my primary at the moment.
I have never used vanilla bean before and was wondering if it was totally necessary and if so what's the best practice?

Thanks

Soak them in vodka for a week and dump in secondary. Yes they are awesome in this brew!!!

 

[SD-SLIM]

So I have this in my primary at the moment.
I have never used vanilla bean before and was wondering if it was totally necessary and if so what's the best practice?

Thanks

You can use vanilla extract...or you can make your own by putting a small slit in the bean (which exposes the meat) and submerse under vodka for a minimum of 7 days, but closer to 14.... At this point the bean flavor has extracted in to the vodka and you can dump it in to your fermenter.

 

[Jbatten22]

You can use vanilla extract...or you can make your own by putting a small slit in the bean (which exposes the meat) and submerse under vodka for a minimum of 7 days, but closer to 14.... At this point the bean flavor has extracted in to the vodka and you can dump it in to your fermenter.

Thanks for the response.
How much vanilla extract would you suggest? Should I dump it into the primary or mix into the bottling bucket?

Thanks again

 

[SD-SLIM]

Thanks for the response.
How much vanilla extract would you suggest? Should I dump it into the primary or mix into the bottling bucket?

Thanks again

2 ounces in the primary.

 

[brauchef10]

so Im brewing this today..but one stupid question. you said rack to secondary on week three and after three weeks bottle or keg.
Does this mean a total of 3 weeks fermentation? or on week three rack to secondary..and then 3 more weeks bottle or keg?
I hope my question makes sense I know it sounds dumb.
Thanks!!

 

[SD-SLIM]

so Im brewing this today..but one stupid question. you said rack to secondary on week three and after three weeks bottle or keg.
Does this mean a total of 3 weeks fermentation? or on week three rack to secondary..and then 3 more weeks bottle or keg?
I hope my question makes sense I know it sounds dumb.
Thanks!!

Total of 3 weeks fermentation...then 11 days kegged or 3 weeks bottled. So week 1 is beer and yeast, week 2 add vanilla beans...and because those are a fruit transfer off for a final week of. Conditioning....if you use vanilla extract, versus actually vanilla beans, then just do 3 weeks in the primary....now there will be some people that say you can do all of this in the primary ( and trust me I am anti-secondary)...but the beer gets clearer on this recipe (when using beans) if transferred.

 

[brauchef10]

Thanks so much for your quick response!.
I am for sure going to use beans...I really hate the flavor of vanilla extract IMO.
Thanks again,
Cheers!

 

[johnturner9]

Anyone do this extract with a grain bag with any luck? New to the hobby and this beer sounds awesome and would like to try. Just not into AG yet.

 

[soccerRef]

so I attempted to brew a batch of this the other night and I believe I made some rookie mistakes... ( only my 3rd AG batch so still a rookie!).. I was too rushed to get started, read through the recipe and went for it...should have read the entire thread first...

I assumed ( first mistake assuming) that the g.crackers would be added to the primary, but now that I read through all the posts in the thread I believe I was supposed to add these to the boil?

I ended up with a OG of just under 1.060, prior to adding the crackers to the primary, then crushed up the crackers, mixed them in, pitched the yeast and put it away to ferment.

Obv im going to let it ferment out, add the vanilla and see where it goes, mistakes sometimes lead to great discoveries right! But any thoughts as to what I should expect with this mistake? You stated you made this many many times before getting it to what you wanted, did you happen to go this route once?

I was disappointed I did not reach the OG that you posted in the recipe, could not having the crackers in the boil really cause me to miss by that much? or were there most likely other mistakes I made to cause that?

If this batch doesn't meet all expectations I will definitely try again, as it sounds like a great brew!

 

[brauchef10]

Anyone do this extract with a grain bag with any luck? New to the hobby and this beer sounds awesome and would like to try. Just not into AG yet.

I subbed in 3 pounds of Muntons Light dry extract, and did 3 pounds of maris otter instead of 9 based on recommendation from homebrew shop.
Everything else I put in grain bags and followed the rest of the recipe.
Bubbling away today and smelled awesome last night

 

[SD-SLIM]

so I attempted to brew a batch of this the other night and I believe I made some rookie mistakes... ( only my 3rd AG batch so still a rookie!).. I was too rushed to get started, read through the recipe and went for it...should have read the entire thread first...

I assumed ( first mistake assuming) that the g.crackers would be added to the primary, but now that I read through all the posts in the thread I believe I was supposed to add these to the boil?

I ended up with a OG of just under 1.060, prior to adding the crackers to the primary, then crushed up the crackers, mixed them in, pitched the yeast and put it away to ferment.

Obv im going to let it ferment out, add the vanilla and see where it goes, mistakes sometimes lead to great discoveries right! But any thoughts as to what I should expect with this mistake? You stated you made this many many times before getting it to what you wanted, did you happen to go this route once?

I was disappointed I did not reach the OG that you posted in the recipe, could not having the crackers in the boil really cause me to miss by that much? or were there most likely other mistakes I made to cause that?

If this batch doesn't meet all expectations I will definitely try again, as it sounds like a great brew!

Unfortunately you won't get much flavor from adding them to the fermentation process...and you will defiantly need to use a secondary to clear the bear up (even if it looks clear, you don't want crackers particles)..... So here are two ways you can fix your beer: #1) if you are using vanilla beans, the vodka will add an alcohol boost, if your using extract then add a 1/4 cup of vodka #2) use graham cracker extract in the secondary, and use brown sugar as your priming sugar for bottles or keg...both of these options will enhance the flavor!

 

[soccerRef]

Unfortunately you won't get much flavor from adding them to the fermentation process...and you will defiantly need to use a secondary to clear the bear up (even if it looks clear, you don't want crackers particles)..... So here are two ways you can fix your beer: #1) if you are using vanilla beans, the vodka will add an alcohol boost, if your using extract then add a 1/4 cup of vodka #2) use graham cracker extract in the secondary, and use brown sugar as your priming sugar for bottles or keg...both of these options will enhance the flavor!

thanks for the response and suggestions! I am using vanilla beans, so the vodka will help the alcohol boost. I will definitely rack to a secondary, Im a big fan of this in most cases anyways.. I had no idea there was such a thing as graham cracker extract! I will look for it and add some to the secondary. ( if I can find it). As far as using brown sugar for priming sugar, I plan to keg my brew, so how much brown sugar should I add to the keg? also I have never used sugar to carb my beer in the keg ( I have used forced carb procedures ), about how long will it take to be carbed up via the priming sugar route?

thanks for all the assistance! I love how helpful the home brew community is! Hopefully someday soon I will be knowledgeable enough to be the one helping!

 

[SD-SLIM]

thanks for the response and suggestions! I am using vanilla beans, so the vodka will help the alcohol boost. I will definitely rack to a secondary, Im a big fan of this in most cases anyways.. I had no idea there was such a thing as graham cracker extract! I will look for it and add some to the secondary. ( if I can find it). As far as using brown sugar for priming sugar, I plan to keg my brew, so how much brown sugar should I add to the keg? also I have never used sugar to carb my beer in the keg ( I have used forced carb procedures ), about how long will it take to be carbed up via the priming sugar route?

thanks for all the assistance! I love how helpful the home brew community is! Hopefully someday soon I will be knowledgeable enough to be the one helping!

I would use 1/2 cup...be sure to stir it in really well, then if you have CO2, apply 30psi to set all the rings and gaskets in your tank...set the keg aside in a warm environment for 14 days, then connect co2 and take a sample..it should need another couple of days, but better to check now than when it's over carbonated!

 

[Brewphish]

This sounds awesome and will most likely be my next brew, assuming the LHBS has restocked their MO.

One question though Slim, are you really getting that high of an OG? Even if I hit the good side of my eff (usually near 80%), Beersmith calculates this around 1.065-1.070. I know someone else asked earlier in the thread if the crackers make up the difference, but it looks like most people reporting OGs are still in the 1.060's.

As you stated, I'm sure it will still be a great beer regardless, just curious since you've brewed this one a bunch.
Thanks!

 

[SD-SLIM]

This sounds awesome and will most likely be my next brew, assuming the LHBS has restocked their MO.

One question though Slim, are you really getting that high of an OG? Even if I hit the good side of my eff (usually near 80%), Beersmith calculates this around 1.065-1.070. I know someone else asked earlier in the thread if the crackers make up the difference, but it looks like most people reporting OGs are still in the 1.060's.

As you stated, I'm sure it will still be a great beer regardless, just curious since you've brewed this one a bunch.
Thanks!

I have to be honest...I only take gravity readings during the first couple of brews in an experimental beer...after that, my equipment and eyes know what we are doing, so I don't bother until I want to confirm its beer, so beer smith could be wright!

 

[Thu]

How much priming sugar should i use for bottling 5 gallons?

 

[Brewphish]

How much priming sugar should i use for bottling 5 gallons?

I'd go with the standard 4oz corn sugar in 2 cups of water -

http://www.howtobrew.com/section1/chapter11-4.html

 

[SD-SLIM]

How much priming sugar should i use for bottling 5 gallons?

3/4 cup dissolved in to 1 cup of hot water.

 

[Brewphish]

I have to be honest...I only take gravity readings during the first couple of brews in an experimental beer...after that, my equipment and eyes know what we are doing, so I don't bother until I want to confirm its beer, so beer smith could be wright!

Cool. I'll pick up an extra pack of S-04 just in case it's way over the beersmith estimate.

Cheers

 

[jrodder]

Brewed something really close to this last week, 7 days old today. Tasted it, and wow nothing like I had imagined. All I taste is bitterness and alcohol. Does it mellow out with the next two weeks of aging? Has anyone else brewed this and sneaked a taste?

 

[demons210]

Brewed something really close to this last week, 7 days old today. Tasted it, and wow nothing like I had imagined. All I taste is bitterness and alcohol. Does it mellow out with the next two weeks of aging? Has anyone else brewed this and sneaked a taste?

I just racked mine to the secondary and I snuck a little taste and mine tastes the same way. My plan is to let it sit another week or so then bottle and let it age till christmas. I really hope things turn around on this beer. Just know you're not alone on this one.

 

[jrodder]

I just racked mine to the secondary and I snuck a little taste and mine tastes the same way. My plan is to let it sit another week or so then bottle and let it age till christmas. I really hope things turn around on this beer. Just know you're not alone on this one.

Thanks a lot. If we are in the same boat, then I suppose we can assume this gets tasty with the aging. I am already headed to the LHBS to pick up stuff for a quicker ale. I think because of the ABV on this guy, as well as the color and use of chocolate malt, it needs to age out a bit.

 

[DerekV]

Thanks a lot. If we are in the same boat, then I suppose we can assume this gets tasty with the aging. I am already headed to the LHBS to pick up stuff for a quicker ale. I think because of the ABV on this guy, as well as the color and use of chocolate malt, it needs to age out a bit.

x3 - This is a big beer...after 3 weeks in the dark in bottles and one in the cold fridge I opened a couple up. Nice carbonation, not much head though, and its all vanilla and alcohol so far. Chocolate in the aroma but not much flavor. The smoked malt I substituted comes through...so mine is more akin to a smoked vanilla porter but at such a high ABV it is strong. Should age well is what I am thinking but rough around the edges right now.

 

[soccerRef]

just an update to mine - ( for a refresh I mistakenly did not boil the crackers in, and added them to the primary at the beginning of fermentation.) \

after 7 days in the primary I took a grav. reading, and it was down to 1.005, OG was 1.065. I added the vanilla/vodka mixture to the primary, gave it a gentle mix , and left it until yesterday, I took another reading still at 1.005 ( no surprise there) and racked it into a secondary.

I took a small taste, and it was pretty alcoholy and bitter right now, which I hope will mellow out in the secondary?

I have not added the gram. cracker extract, mainly because I never ordered it online ( couldnt find it anywhere locally).

I figure I will let it mellow out for a few more days, take another taste and see where it stands. Worse case I maybe end up with choc type ale, instead of gram.cracker? ... we shall see...

 

[jrodder]

Mine is at two weeks, I added 2 vanilla beans soaked in about an oz. of whisky. Hey, it's what I had laying around.

Taste is already way mellowed out, didn't taste any graham cracker but I assume it would be subtle anyway. (I only used one box in the boil) I didn't take another gravity reading, but my OG was high, like a 1.09, and FG was around 1.018. I am going to let it sit a full three weeks in primary and take a taste test then. Tempted to only keg half of it, bottle the other half and let them sit for months and revisit.

Not really all that worried about it, as my other primary is full of Zombie Dust. That one is smelling heavenly.

I'll report back when I keg/bottle and let you guys know.

 

[soccerRef]

so another update - I was working on some other brews and ciders so I figured I would take a taste and peak at how this was doing in the secondary...

as a refresher I messed up the grams and didnt put them in the boil, but primary ferm, so since I was already on a different path I figured change it up some more... when I added the vanilla beans to vodka, I actually used a marshmallow vodka my wife had laying around..

so the taste now was 100% better than just 5 days ago! no more intense alch. taste, has a mellow choc/marshmallow sort of taste to it, but not in a sweet over powering way, but in a nice tasting way... its turning into a nice darker type ale, and sitting at about 8%abv. Figure I will give it another week or so, because I wanted to get it carbed by xmas ( i force carb in a keg in a fridge, so I only need 3-4 days to get it carbed up)... if it doesnt taste ready yet i will of course wait it out longer.