Membership questions? Log in issues? Email info@brewersassociation.org

Author Topic: Vanilla bean usage  (Read 5228 times)

Offline Wort-H.O.G.

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4439
  • Play Nice
    • Harvey's Brewhaus
Vanilla bean usage
« on: January 27, 2015, 10:07:00 am »
Just bought these http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00992RFZS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Wondering about usage- split the pods and pull the beans out and throw them in keg, or should I bag them for removal? It's for vanilla porter.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
CPT, U.S.Army
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harveys-Brewhaus/405092862905115

http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=The_Science_of_Mashing

Serving:        In Process:
Vienna IPA          O'Fest
Dort
Mead                 
Cider                         
Ger'merican Blonde
Amber Ale
Next:
Ger Pils
O'Fest

Offline tenbeers

  • 1st Kit
  • *
  • Posts: 2
Re: Vanilla bean usage
« Reply #1 on: January 27, 2015, 10:34:49 am »
I usually split the bean down the middle then cut it into quarters. Typically I add all the pieces to a secondary to let the particles settle. The inside is like a pasty powder. Lots of tiny little black pellets. Also, start with one bean for flavor and add more to desired taste. I find one or two beans are usually enough for me.

Offline HoosierBrew

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 13031
  • Indianapolis,IN
Re: Vanilla bean usage
« Reply #2 on: January 27, 2015, 10:50:57 am »
I split 2 beans down the middle, scrape the good stuff from the inside, add pods, seeds and all into a mesh bag, and into the keg. I think the trick is to let the vanilla get a LITTLE more than you really want (sampling every day)and then pull the bag because the vanilla will fade over time.
Jon H.

Offline Wort-H.O.G.

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4439
  • Play Nice
    • Harvey's Brewhaus
Re: Vanilla bean usage
« Reply #3 on: January 27, 2015, 11:24:04 am »
ok that makes sense. wondering if leaving 2 whole beans in the keg matters much..figure it only has so much to contribute before its tapped out.
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
CPT, U.S.Army
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harveys-Brewhaus/405092862905115

http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=The_Science_of_Mashing

Serving:        In Process:
Vienna IPA          O'Fest
Dort
Mead                 
Cider                         
Ger'merican Blonde
Amber Ale
Next:
Ger Pils
O'Fest

Offline pete b

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4133
  • Barre, Ma
Re: Vanilla bean usage
« Reply #4 on: January 27, 2015, 11:26:25 am »
I split 2 beans down the middle, scrape the good stuff from the inside, add pods, seeds and all into a mesh bag, and into the keg. I think the trick is to let the vanilla get a LITTLE more than you really want (sampling every day)and then pull the bag because the vanilla will fade over time.
^^^^This sounds great for kegging. I bottle and would prepare the beans the same but skip the bag and put them in fermenter when final gravity is confirmed then taste each day.  I know Ken kegs, just thought I would mention that. I agree that you need to wait until the flavor is a bit stronger than your target.
Don't let the bastards cheer you up.

Offline Wort-H.O.G.

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4439
  • Play Nice
    • Harvey's Brewhaus
Re: Vanilla bean usage
« Reply #5 on: January 27, 2015, 11:34:42 am »
presume nobody is worrying about soaking the beans in alcohol, correct?
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
CPT, U.S.Army
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harveys-Brewhaus/405092862905115

http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=The_Science_of_Mashing

Serving:        In Process:
Vienna IPA          O'Fest
Dort
Mead                 
Cider                         
Ger'merican Blonde
Amber Ale
Next:
Ger Pils
O'Fest

Offline HoosierBrew

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 13031
  • Indianapolis,IN
Re: Vanilla bean usage
« Reply #6 on: January 27, 2015, 11:37:09 am »
presume nobody is worrying about soaking the beans in alcohol, correct?

Nope, I don't.
Jon H.

Offline Wort-H.O.G.

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4439
  • Play Nice
    • Harvey's Brewhaus
Re: Vanilla bean usage
« Reply #7 on: January 27, 2015, 11:54:51 am »
presume nobody is worrying about soaking the beans in alcohol, correct?

Nope, I don't.

ever just leave the beans in the keg?
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
CPT, U.S.Army
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harveys-Brewhaus/405092862905115

http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=The_Science_of_Mashing

Serving:        In Process:
Vienna IPA          O'Fest
Dort
Mead                 
Cider                         
Ger'merican Blonde
Amber Ale
Next:
Ger Pils
O'Fest

Offline HoosierBrew

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 13031
  • Indianapolis,IN
Re: Vanilla bean usage
« Reply #8 on: January 27, 2015, 01:06:28 pm »
presume nobody is worrying about soaking the beans in alcohol, correct?

Nope, I don't.

ever just leave the beans in the keg?

No, I never wanted overpowering vanilla , so I always pulled when it was just more than I wanted. Actually, I pulled it when it was just right the first time and then realized it drops off over time.
Jon H.

Offline Wort-H.O.G.

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4439
  • Play Nice
    • Harvey's Brewhaus
Re: Vanilla bean usage
« Reply #9 on: January 27, 2015, 01:08:34 pm »
presume nobody is worrying about soaking the beans in alcohol, correct?

Nope, I don't.

ever just leave the beans in the keg?

No, I never wanted overpowering vanilla , so I always pulled when it was just more than I wanted. Actually, I pulled it when it was just right the first time and then realized it drops off over time.

good info, thanks. wasn't sure how strong it would be. more reason to taste daily  ;D
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
CPT, U.S.Army
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harveys-Brewhaus/405092862905115

http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=The_Science_of_Mashing

Serving:        In Process:
Vienna IPA          O'Fest
Dort
Mead                 
Cider                         
Ger'merican Blonde
Amber Ale
Next:
Ger Pils
O'Fest

Offline a10t2

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4696
  • Ask me why I don't like Chico!
    • SeanTerrill.com
Re: Vanilla bean usage
« Reply #10 on: January 27, 2015, 01:41:11 pm »
I just make a vanilla extract with three or four beans, split down the middle, in a pint of vodka. Then I dose a small sample at packaging and scale up. 50-100 mL usually ends up being about right for a 5 gal keg.
Sent from my Microsoft Bob

Beer is like porn. You can buy it, but it's more fun to make your own.
Refractometer Calculator | Batch Sparging Calculator | Two Mile Brewing Co.

Offline Wort-H.O.G.

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4439
  • Play Nice
    • Harvey's Brewhaus
Re: Vanilla bean usage
« Reply #11 on: January 27, 2015, 01:43:33 pm »
I just make a vanilla extract with three or four beans, split down the middle, in a pint of vodka. Then I dose a small sample at packaging and scale up. 50-100 mL usually ends up being about right for a 5 gal keg.

that's an interesting method. so you use 50-100ml of the vodka vanilla bean mixture and put it in the keg?
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
CPT, U.S.Army
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harveys-Brewhaus/405092862905115

http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=The_Science_of_Mashing

Serving:        In Process:
Vienna IPA          O'Fest
Dort
Mead                 
Cider                         
Ger'merican Blonde
Amber Ale
Next:
Ger Pils
O'Fest

Offline denny

  • Administrator
  • Retired with too much time on my hands
  • *****
  • Posts: 27092
  • Noti OR [1991.4, 287.6deg] AR
    • Dennybrew
Re: Vanilla bean usage
« Reply #12 on: January 27, 2015, 02:28:51 pm »
presume nobody is worrying about soaking the beans in alcohol, correct?

Just say no to soaking in alcohol.  Even when I add unwashed mushrooms to secondary there's no problem.
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

www.dennybrew.com

The best, sharpest, funniest, weirdest and most knowledgable minds in home brewing contribute on the AHA forum. - Alewyfe

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

Offline Wort-H.O.G.

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4439
  • Play Nice
    • Harvey's Brewhaus
Re: Vanilla bean usage
« Reply #13 on: January 27, 2015, 02:32:39 pm »
presume nobody is worrying about soaking the beans in alcohol, correct?

Just say no to soaking in alcohol.  Even when I add unwashed mushrooms to secondary there's no problem.

not worried about infection. thinking a tincture might be one approach to control the flavor contribution...and then of course add more as needed as it dissipates.
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
CPT, U.S.Army
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harveys-Brewhaus/405092862905115

http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=The_Science_of_Mashing

Serving:        In Process:
Vienna IPA          O'Fest
Dort
Mead                 
Cider                         
Ger'merican Blonde
Amber Ale
Next:
Ger Pils
O'Fest

Offline Joe Sr.

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4467
  • Chicago - NORTH SIDE
Re: Vanilla bean usage
« Reply #14 on: January 27, 2015, 04:08:43 pm »
I don't like soaking in alcohol either as I believe that you get some flavor addition from the alcohol.  Even vodka.  I've done it, I don't care for it.  Your mileage may vary.
It's all in the reflexes. - Jack Burton