Vanilla beans

[Tyree]

I am in the middle of making a cherry vanilla oatmeal stout. I am adding the cherry flavor when it is time to bottle . I plan on adding the vanilla beans to the secondary , I am going to scrape 2-3 vanilla beans into some vodka . Is 4 beans to much . I like vanilla but I dont know if the cherry flavor will cover it up . Ive looked up alot of threads on adding vanilla beans , I just want to know how much is to much?

[mookow]

Originally posted by Tyree
I am in the middle of making a cherry vanilla oatmeal stout. I am adding the cherry flavor when it is time to bottle . I plan on adding the vanilla beans to the secondary , I am going to scrape 2-3 vanilla beans into some vodka . Is 4 beans to much . I like vanilla but I dont know if the cherry flavor will cover it up . Ive looked up alot of threads on adding vanilla beans , I just want to know how much is to much?

I would think 4 beans would definitely be too much, and 3 beans may still be over the top. Just how "stout" is this stout? By that, I am asking what your original gravity was, and how much of a roasted barley bite does it have?

I know you say you really like vanilla flavor, but think long and hard prior to adding a fourth bean. If it were me, I would scrape and soak two beans, add it to the stout, give it a day, then draw off a sample and see how I liked it at that point. Then, if you still want more vanilla, scrape and soak a third bean.

[Spicoli]

I was just going to post the same thread. I have a Robust Porter in secondary that tastes a little burnt to me. I think I used more black patent then I should have. I was thinking of doing a vanilla bean test on one 5 gallon corny. When you scrape the bean, do you just put the scrapings in the vodka or the bean with the scrapings?? Do you also pitch all the vodka and the scrapings in the carboy or just the scrapings? How much vodka should be used??

[Tyree]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mookow
[B]I would think 4 beans would definitely be too much, and 3 beans may still be over the top. Just how "stout" is this stout? By that, I am asking what your original gravity was, and how much of a roasted barley bite does it have?

O.G. is 1.042 , there are 6lbs Dark LME and 8oz rolled oats , 4oz roasted barley, 1oz fuggle hops. I havnt sampled it yet it just started fermenting .

[Tyree]

Originally posted by Spicoli
I was just going to post the same thread. I have a Robust Porter in secondary that tastes a little burnt to me. I think I used more black patent then I should have. I was thinking of doing a vanilla bean test on one 5 gallon corny. When you scrape the bean, do you just put the scrapings in the vodka or the bean with the scrapings?? Do you also pitch all the vodka and the scrapings in the carboy or just the scrapings? How much vodka should be used??
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I was just going to scrape out the beans and put the scrapings into about a shot or two of vodka .I wonder if a dark rum would be better ?

[Spicoli]

I checked a few old threads and found that I might just pitch the bean with vodka and the scrapings. A very small amount of vodka.

[mookow]

Originally posted by Spicoli
I was just going to post the same thread. I have a Robust Porter in secondary that tastes a little burnt to me. I think I used more black patent then I should have. I was thinking of doing a vanilla bean test on one 5 gallon corny. When you scrape the bean, do you just put the scrapings in the vodka or the bean with the scrapings?? Do you also pitch all the vodka and the scrapings in the carboy or just the scrapings? How much vodka should be used??

When I added vanilla to my stout, this is how I treated the vanilla beans:
-cut the beans in half, lengthwise
-scrape inner material from the bean
-cut outer bean husk into short enough lengths to get into small glass
-fill with 100 proof vodka until all of the vanilla bean material is submerged
-allow that to sit for 36 hours
-add to the secondary fementer

Once the vanilla stout reaches you, you can judge for yourself how well this worked.

[Spicoli]

Right on thanks for the tip.

[DecoJuicer]

I just wondered, won't the alcohol in the brew bring out the vanilla flavor?

[Beer Monkey]

I've also heard that rum is good to use, they mentioned this on the home brewing podcast for this week.

pretty sure they said to use 4-5 beans and cut them up and scrape them then soak them in enough rum to cover them. start soaking them when the beer is in primary. When you put in secondary add the rum and beans to the secondary filter out when you bottle or keg and your good to go.

if anyone needs a link to podcast let me know.

[mookow]

Originally posted by Beer Monkey
I've also heard that rum is good to use, they mentioned this on the home brewing podcast for this week.

pretty sure they said to use 4-5 beans and cut them up and scrape them then soak them in enough rum to cover them. start soaking them when the beer is in primary. When you put in secondary add the rum and beans to the secondary filter out when you bottle or keg and your good to go.

if anyone needs a link to podcast let me know.

Four to five beans in a 5 gallon batch is going to be a ton of vanilla flavor. Did they possibly mean that many beans for a larger batch size, like 10 or even 15 gallons?

[eyepah]

from Beer Monkey

I've also heard that rum is good to use, they mentioned this on the home brewing podcast for this week.

Im interested in the link. This comes up for me this weekend.

Thanks in adavence!!!!

[markaberrant]

I just did a Vanilla Cream Ale which is currently cold conditioning in the secondary.

I started out with 2 vanilla beans (using the soak in vodka method). After 1 week, I thought the taste was just about right, but because this one is going to age for a long time (total time in secondary will be 6 weeks), I figure the flavour will mellow somewhat, so I added 1 more bean.

The Food Network ran a recent show on vanilla beans. You've got good ones if they are big and the bean itself is bendy. If they are brittle, you will need to use more to get the same flavour. This is why there is no standard on the amount of vanilla to use; it depends on the freshness and quality of the beans.

So the rule of thumb is to start with 2 and go from there.

[Beer Monkey]

http://www.basicbrewing.com/radio/

here's a link to their podcasts some are really good. I'm still lookin for which one talked about the vanilla beans and will get back to you.

Cheers

[Beer Monkey]

I emailed the guy who runs the pod cast this is what I got back.


The advice was from Kevin DeLange of The Brew Hut (thebrewhut.com):

> I tell homebrewers to use whole vanilla beans. You can use about 4 or
> 5
> for 5 gallons. Split down the center, then chopped up and soaked in
> just enough rum to cover them. Soak in the rum during primary, then
> add
> the chopped up beans and rum to the secondary. It turns out nice.
> Ebay
> is the best place for cheap beans. We use Madagascar beans. I'll also
> ship him some for $2.50 a piece or so if he needs.

Since this was from January, I don't know if the pricing is still valid.

Hope this helps,
James

[DecoJuicer]

Here is another good place for vanilla beans. (http://www.bostonvanillabeans.com/)

4 to 5 beans sounds REALLY strong. I don't mean to argue with a guy who probably has brewed a whole lot more beer than me, but my BIL and I just did a porter and added 2 vanilla beans-split, scraped, and soaked in vodka- to a 5 gallon batch of porter and when tasting it before bottling, it was really potent.

I agree with the others. Start with 2, you can always add more.

[mookow]

Originally posted by DecoJuicer
Here is another good place for vanilla beans. (http://www.bostonvanillabeans.com/)

4 to 5 beans sounds REALLY strong. I don't mean to argue with a guy who probably has brewed a whole lot more beer than me, but my BIL and I just did a porter and added 2 vanilla beans-split, scraped, and soaked in vodka- to a 5 gallon batch of porter and when tasting it before bottling, it was really potent.

I agree with the others. Start with 2, you can always add more.

I usually buy my vanilla beans from morebeer.com. Three beans for $5.

[mookow]

Odd vanilla bean question:

I scraped two vanilla beans today, went to get my bottle of vodka... and discovered I was out. So I put in some Everclear (190 grain alcohol). Then I decided maybe I should add some water, so I added about an equal portion on water. Suddenly the liquid took on a very pale milky quality. Is this bad, or am I fine?

[ANGELofDEBT]

anybody ever use liquid vanilla extract? not the cheap artificial stuff, the more expensive natural stuff. Any idea on how much to use?

[markaberrant]

Originally posted by ANGELofDEBT
anybody ever use liquid vanilla extract? not the cheap artificial stuff, the more expensive natural stuff. Any idea on how much to use?

Try 1oz or 2 tbsp, and go from there. Can be added to secondary, or at bottling.