What Would You Do?

[mrgrimm101]

So i brewed a pumpkin porter 3 weeks ago. My plan was to rack to secondary today (to get it off the pumpkin that most likely settled in secondary) after I take an FG reading and then toss in some vanilla extract (that I prepared 3 weeks ago) to sit for another 5-7 days then bottle.

I'm thinking I may just bottle today and add the vanilla extract to the priming bucket..and not let it go for another week in secondary.

What would you do?

 

[dude3516]

How long do you intend to bottle age? Greater than 6 weeks and I doubt you'd be able to tell the difference between that and a 7 day secondary.

 

[mrgrimm101]

If I bottled today I would probably try one in about 3 weeks. There will be plenty of bottles that go at least 6 weeks

 

[unionrdr]

Just add it to the priming solution like I did. It'll be fine. It doesn't need to sit after the vanilla extract has already been made.

 

[mrgrimm101]

I'm sure 3 weeks is long enough..I typically don't take 2 samples at the end. I take 1 after 3 or 4 weeks and I've yet to have any problems.

Did you add the vanilla extract to the sugar/water solution before the beer went into the priming bucket?

 

[mrgrimm101]

Im still torn about whether I should just bottle now (its been 3 week) or if I should rack for another week in secondary.

My thoughts are that by transferring I will get the beer off any pumpkin that may have settled, and letting it sit for another week may help it clear up and I may end up with more drinkable beer sooner

 

[unionrdr]

If the beer is at a stable FG & is settled out clear or slightly misty, you could go ahead & bottle it with the vanilla in the priming solution.

 

[Subdivisions]

Bottle. Less racking and less chance of oxidizing. If you're worried about sediment you could cold crash the fermenter for a day before racking to the bottling bucket. Unionrdr says to add vanilla to the priming sugar. That way it'll mix in more thoroughly. Give it a little light stir every 6 or so beers bottled.

 

[unionrdr]

I got a good, smooth sort of "fresh" vanilla flavor by adding it to the priming solution of my robust porter. Works amazingly well.

 

[mrgrimm101]

Sounds good. I dont have a setup for cold crashing so ill just have to deal

 

[mrgrimm101]

My main concern is sediment. Im afraid as I steeped the pumpkin, a lot of it came out into the wort..I just dont want to be chewing on pumpkin when I drink this one.

 

[theonetrueruss]

either way you go you will be fine... just don't worry about it and do what seems right to you