Thoughts On A Spring Beer - Pecan Bourbon Wheat

[torilen]

1 Gallon Batch - est. 5.17%ABV, not including the bourbon to be added
1lb Wheat LME

Steeping Grains
- 8oz Honey Malt
- 8oz Dark Munich (could change this out...I'm saying this one only because I have it in the house at the moment - that could change when I'm ready to brew this one)

2oz honey - could up this if it needs a little more sweetness.

For the pecan bourbon - KingBrianI on here has a good idea for getting a nut flavor into beer. Toast the nuts and then soak them in alcohol for a month...strain...add to the secondary. Portions are 1 cup alcohol to 1-1/2 cups of nuts. He used vodka...I would guess for the neutral taste. I was thinking the bourbon could add a nice flavor to the brew.

I would think perhaps 1/2 a cup of the pecan bourbon for the whole gallon...that should be enough? Yes?

 

[sammyj61]

Having had brewed with pecans before, you definitely don't want to add them directly to the fermentor as the oils in the nuts will obliterate any head retention in the final product. So I like your idea of toasting then adding to alcohol then adding the strained liquid.
As far as alcohol choice, the bourbon may overpower any flavor contribution the pecans provide, so you may be left with only a bourbon taste. In my opinion vodka is a better choice if you're looking for a pecan only flavor, but if you want both bourbon and pecan then go for it. Good luck!

 

[torilen]

Perhaps soak the pecans in the vodka, and then add just a splash of bourbon by itself? I kind of like the idea of
the two flavors together. Can't say I've ever had alcohol with nuts soaked in it, so I wouldn't know if it would
overpower the flavor of the nuts or not.

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.

 

[user 141939]

Neat.