BVIP question

kgetch · May 17, 2013, 5:12pm

Brewed Denny’s Bourbon Vanilla Imperial Porter recipe several weeks ago.

Bottled it on May 4th. Its been conditioning at about 68 degrees.

I popped one open (a partial bottle of the last bit out of the bottling bucket) last saturday. It smelled great. It wasnt very carbed yet but the bourbon seemed a tad too strong. So far definately a “sipper” for chilly nights or hanging out by the firepit.

I’m curious if the bourbon taste will fade with age somewhat or is that more likely I used too much?

I used about 8 ozs in a 4 gallon batch.

I have another one chilling in the fridge to sample tonight ot tomorrow and see if its changed at all.

denny · May 17, 2013, 5:40pm

The vanilla fades first, then the bourbon. How much bourbon did you use?

kgetch · May 17, 2013, 6:12pm

Hi Denny,

approx 8 oz in a 4 gallon batch

denny · May 17, 2013, 6:14pm

[quote=“Kgetch”]Hi Denny,

approx 8 oz in a 4 gallon batch[/quote]

Sounds about right.

kgetch · May 17, 2013, 8:11pm

rgr that…Thanks!

old_dawg · May 17, 2013, 9:33pm

Please explain what you mean by “…bourbon smelled a tad too strong.”

How is that possible? Are you one of those people who saves the cork when you open a new bottle of bourbon?

denny · May 17, 2013, 10:26pm

[quote=“Old_Dawg”]Please explain what you mean by “…bourbon smelled a tad too strong.”

How is that possible? Are you one of those people who saves the cork when you open a new bottle of bourbon?[/quote]

It’s possible because that beer shouldn’t be about the bourbon. It should be an integrated bourbon/vanilla/beer aroma and flavor. If you can pick out the bourbon, you used too much. But in a few weeks it all blends nicely.

560sdl · May 18, 2013, 1:33pm

I did exact that and am so bummed about it. Wife bought good bourbon instead of cheap bourbon and my was an intense bourbon small and taste. Gave it 8 months to mellow in the keg and gave up. Bottled about 8 bombers and poured the rest out. First beer I have ever poured out.

Figure it is better to brew it again and make it right than wait forever for somrthing that was not happening.

denny · May 18, 2013, 3:46pm

[quote=“560sdl”]I did exact that and am so bummed about it. Wife bought good bourbon instead of cheap bourbon and my was an intense bourbon small and taste. Gave it 8 months to mellow in the keg and gave up. Bottled about 8 bombers and poured the rest out. First beer I have ever poured out.

Figure it is better to brew it again and make it right than wait forever for somrthing that was not happening.[/quote]

You just need a good mid range bourbon. That’s why I use and recommend Jim Beam Black. Expensive bourbon is wasted on the beer IMO.

kgetch · May 20, 2013, 2:32pm

old dawg, It didnt smell too strong…for my taste, it seemed the bourbon flavor was too pronounced in the sample I tasted.

I can get around that if it does mellow out with some moderate aging.

I am now more concerned with the carbonation.

I sampled another bottle and this one was completely flat after just shy of 2 weeks in the bottle.

I’m not sure the exact amount of priming sugar I used cause I dont have my notes but I used one of the calulators that are online, either NB or Brewers Friend.

All my other batches have carbed up pretty well in a couple weeks with the exception of the only other batch that I racked to a secondary for a time before bottling.

I sure hope this one comes around but would appreciate any advise anyone might have for this one…

Thanks!

denny · May 20, 2013, 4:40pm

Keep it warm and be patient.

kgetch · May 20, 2013, 8:18pm

Hi Denny,

How warm? Right now its upstairs in spare bathroom at about 66 or 67 degrees.

I could move it to the den which is carpeted and usually a few degrees warmer.

basement it still lower 60s.

I agitated one 12 pack a little but unsure if that is recommended, frowned upon or doesnt really matter or help.

denny · May 21, 2013, 5:13pm

[quote=“Kgetch”]Hi Denny,

How warm? Right now its upstairs in spare bathroom at about 66 or 67 degrees.

I could move it to the den which is carpeted and usually a few degrees warmer.

basement it still lower 60s.

I agitated one 12 pack a little but unsure if that is recommended, frowned upon or doesnt really matter or help.[/quote]

70s or even 80s are OK for bottle conditioning. In the 60s it will still carb, but tale longer. Agitation isn’t gonna hurt.