tyrub42
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2016
- Messages
- 317
- Reaction score
- 116
Hey everyone,
I'll be making my annual Xmas stout and will be using an oak spiral instead of chips this year. I only want to do a 2-week secondary (oak, chocolate, and for the last week toasted coconut also), so I plan to soak the spiral in bourbon for awhile before that to start extracting oak flavors. My questions are:
1. Is there a difference to the timeline? Meaning, most people seem to prefer 6 weeks in secondary with cubes or spirals, but bourbon is so much more alcoholic than beer, I'm not sure 4 weeks soaking in bourbon would be a good idea. I was thinking something more like 2 weeks in bourbon and then adding the bourbon and spiral to the secondary for another 2. Does this seem like a better idea?
2. Do you experience any difference in the flavors extracted by soaking in bourbon/spirits compared to soaking in beer? If so, what are they?
3. Is one spiral a good amount for 25 liters of imperial stout (standard size spiral that fits in a gravity testing flask, dark toasted American oak)? Or should I plan to supplement with cubes/chips? I have 2 spirals also, but I'm guessing 2 would be overkill?
Thanks in advance! Looking forward to this beer!
I'll be making my annual Xmas stout and will be using an oak spiral instead of chips this year. I only want to do a 2-week secondary (oak, chocolate, and for the last week toasted coconut also), so I plan to soak the spiral in bourbon for awhile before that to start extracting oak flavors. My questions are:
1. Is there a difference to the timeline? Meaning, most people seem to prefer 6 weeks in secondary with cubes or spirals, but bourbon is so much more alcoholic than beer, I'm not sure 4 weeks soaking in bourbon would be a good idea. I was thinking something more like 2 weeks in bourbon and then adding the bourbon and spiral to the secondary for another 2. Does this seem like a better idea?
2. Do you experience any difference in the flavors extracted by soaking in bourbon/spirits compared to soaking in beer? If so, what are they?
3. Is one spiral a good amount for 25 liters of imperial stout (standard size spiral that fits in a gravity testing flask, dark toasted American oak)? Or should I plan to supplement with cubes/chips? I have 2 spirals also, but I'm guessing 2 would be overkill?
Thanks in advance! Looking forward to this beer!