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Author Topic: Cask Additions  (Read 4018 times)

Offline dshay

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Cask Additions
« on: January 11, 2014, 08:38:22 am »
Hello there,

I am going to do a stout in my new pin that I got from NorthernBrewer, and had a few questions for those of you that have experience with casks.

I want to have the addition of raspberries and cocoa nibs to the cask. I understand that it takes two to three weeks for the cask to carbonate. So will having the addition of 5 pounds of raspberries and 8 oz cocoa nibs be okay in the cask for that long of a period? I was worried that they might start to break down and deteriorate or give off flavors etc etc.

Anyone with experience with this please give your two cents or lessons learned from casking. This will be my first time using a pin.

Thanks for the help, cheers.

Offline anthony

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Re: Cask Additions
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2014, 12:04:14 pm »
I'd also worry about the huge amount of carbonation the raspberries are going to provide.

Offline dkfick

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Re: Cask Additions
« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2014, 12:28:19 pm »
I wouldn't worry about the raspberries breaking down and causing off flavors... I would worry about all the sugars contained within the raspberries...
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Offline jeffy

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Re: Cask Additions
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2014, 01:43:44 pm »
I wouldn't worry about the raspberries breaking down and causing off flavors... I would worry about all the sugars contained within the raspberries...

Yes, the fruit won't hurt anything, but it does have a lot of sugar, so you have to figure that in with the priming sugar.  I added cherries to a keg of flat Belgian sour beer once and shipped it to the NHC in Baltimore.  It was carbonated by the time it got there.
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Offline dshay

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Re: Cask Additions
« Reply #4 on: January 13, 2014, 08:58:08 am »
Is there a way to figure how much of the sugars from the fruit will soak into the brew? Say like a rough estimate or guideline? Was planning on adding 5 pounds of the raspberries to the 5 gallon pin. I understand you can vent off the c02, but do not want to over do it, as it will be my first time trying this for a party.

Offline morticaixavier

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Re: Cask Additions
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2014, 10:19:11 am »
I do not have a lot of experience with cask conditioning but it seems like it would make a lot more sense to add the fruit to a secondary fermenter and then, when all the activity has settled down, rack to the pin and user sugar or wort to carbonate. perhaps I am missing something?

however, the contribution of sugar from 5 lbs of raspberries is going to be negligible in every way except for carbonation.
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Offline dshay

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Re: Cask Additions
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2014, 10:57:17 am »
I have considered adding the cocoa nibs and raspberries to the secondary as most people do with normal brews. I have had cask a few times at bars and there seems to always be a special addition to it, just thought it would be a fun brew to try. Didn't know where to start.

Offline denny

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Re: Cask Additions
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2014, 10:58:43 am »
I do not have a lot of experience with cask conditioning but it seems like it would make a lot more sense to add the fruit to a secondary fermenter and then, when all the activity has settled down, rack to the pin and user sugar or wort to carbonate. perhaps I am missing something?

however, the contribution of sugar from 5 lbs of raspberries is going to be negligible in every way except for carbonation.

I agree with you, Jonathan.
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Offline morticaixavier

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Re: Cask Additions
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2014, 11:04:10 am »
I have considered adding the cocoa nibs and raspberries to the secondary as most people do with normal brews. I have had cask a few times at bars and there seems to always be a special addition to it, just thought it would be a fun brew to try. Didn't know where to start.

I would worry less about the cocoa nibs actually being in the pin. They aren't going to break down into an unpleasant pinkish/greyish goop at the bottom of the cask like I suspect the raspberries would.
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Offline dshay

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Re: Cask Additions
« Reply #9 on: January 13, 2014, 11:34:13 am »
That was my original thought with the raspberries being in there for some long, was worried they might break down. It might be best to just add them to secondary then and taste to see how long I want them in for.

As far as the cocoa nibs go, has anyone had any experience with having them in a brew for a 3 week time frame, any off flavors or anything? Or would you recommend simply adding them in secondary as well?

Thanks for the help I appreciate it.

Cheers

Offline dkfick

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Re: Cask Additions
« Reply #10 on: January 13, 2014, 01:18:36 pm »
You may also want to shoot Paul at UK Brewing a email and ask him.  He's been very helpful to me with any of my cask related questions. paul@ukbrewing.com
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