OAK Chips

  • January 25, 2017 8:07 PM
    Message # 4569067
    Deleted user

    Well it looks like after all my normal over the top sanitation efforts the day came and I have 5.5gals of beer with the appearance of an infection.  All went well thru primary, oak chips soaked in Burbon for 9months (suspect), a little hard time getting the chips into the carbon with a sanitized bag to keep the chips suspended (also suspect but lots of StarSan around the openings).  About 1month on the chips and the taste hit the profile I wanted...but an odd build up on the edge (like a dense krazen), taste and smell still there so primed (boiled 15 min) over the top sanitation on the bottles, all equipment (no change from my previous processes).

    Now ready to drink, same build up in the bottles after bottle conditioning.  Smell is a bit off as with taste so I think I have a bad batch.  :(

    Any Ideas?

    James

  • January 26, 2017 7:11 AM
    Reply # 4569789 on 4569067
    James Sutherland wrote:

    Well it looks like after all my normal over the top sanitation efforts the day came and I have 5.5gals of beer with the appearance of an infection.  All went well thru primary, oak chips soaked in Burbon for 9months (suspect), a little hard time getting the chips into the carbon with a sanitized bag to keep the chips suspended (also suspect but lots of StarSan around the openings).  About 1month on the chips and the taste hit the profile I wanted...but an odd build up on the edge (like a dense krazen), taste and smell still there so primed (boiled 15 min) over the top sanitation on the bottles, all equipment (no change from my previous processes).

    Now ready to drink, same build up in the bottles after bottle conditioning.  Smell is a bit off as with taste so I think I have a bad batch.  :(

    Any Ideas?

    James


    What are you finding in the flavor and aroma, is it earthy, barnyard, lactic, etc.?  Adding anything to beer post fermentation always comes with challenges, we just had a barrel aged beer go seriously lactic with what appears to be the beginnings of brett.  Since you soaked them in bourbon for nine months that should have sanitized them well, so I would suspect if your beer is infected it came from another source.  If you soaked your bag in sanitizer you might try boiling the bag for 15 minutes next time. Was it a new bag or had it been previously used for boiling hops?  Give me an idea of what is off with the taste and I'll try throw a few more ideas at you.


    Randy


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