Blending Imperial Stouts for Barrel Aging

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by VTBrewser, Apr 8, 2015.

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  1. VTBrewser

    VTBrewser Initiate (0) Apr 8, 2015

    Hey guys, I am a fairly green Homebrewer (8 batches so far) and a brand new BA member. I was looking for a little insight into my Imperial Stout project here. First, I brewed NB Imperial Stout extract kit in early Feb. I then aquired a 10 gallon rye whiskey barrel from our local distiller, so I realized I will need to brew another 5 gallon batch so as to eliminate head space in the barrel. Now, my first batch is tastey, but its a little lower ABV than I had hoped. The specs from my gravity readings- OG - 1.082 FG - 1.20, ABV 8.1%. I also did a very thorough yeast starter with my stirplate for a good pitch rate. This is totally decent, but I was honestly hoping to be above the 9 mark, maybe pushing 10, because I intend on aging and bottle conditioning this sucker for years. So my question is, I intend on buying the same kit and brewing my second five gallons to blend in my barrel, but want to boost the OG/pitch rate to get it around 10% or more so the blended 10 gal total will be 9-10% for aging. Does anyone have any insights into trying to boost an extracts OG or maybe adding adjunct (Corn Sugar?) to get a bit more out of the ferment without ruining the recipe? I realize that any lower FG with the gravity of the recipe would be far too dry, but too high FG/ABV stalls out the fermentation. Anyways, any insight is much appreciated.
     
    #1 VTBrewser, Apr 8, 2015
  2. wspscott

    wspscott Pooh-Bah (1,958) May 25, 2006 Kentucky
    Pooh-Bah

    It sounds like this is an extract kit, so there should not have been any question about the OG. What was the predicted OG from the recipe? What was the recipe? In other words, why did you hope you could have an OG "above the 9 mark?

    Did you do a full boil or did you have to top off with water to get your 5 gallons? If you topped off, are you sure you mixed well before you drew a sample to test the gravity?

    There is no reason why you can't age an 8% stout for years, no need to aim for higher unless you just want a bigger beer.
     
    #2 wspscott, Apr 8, 2015
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  3. Lukass

    Lukass Pooh-Bah (2,891) Dec 16, 2012 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah

    Welcome to BA! You can brew the same Imperial Stout kit, and just add some extra dark DME or extract during the boil to boost the OG. 1 lb of extract generally boosts the gravity by .010. I say generally cuz I'm sure people out there have a more technical way of doing this.. but that's a safe bet. In your case you'd probably want to add an additional 2 lbs dark DME.

    If you're wanting a 10+ abv stout, you can always try Wil Wheaton's w00tstout clone on NB's site. I've been looking to try the AG version of this one down the road. Could blend nicely with the imperial stout you've already done, and since you've got a real bourbon barrel you can obviously skip the whole 'soaking oak cubes in bourbon' crap.
     
    #3 Lukass, Apr 8, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2015
  4. psnydez86

    psnydez86 Initiate (0) Jan 4, 2012 Pennsylvania

    No problem with buying some additional dry malt extract and adding it to your recipe to help boost your original gravity. If your happy with the flavor of your precious stout I would recommend just adding another pound or 2 of dme.
    Typically dme is around 1.043 or 1.045 ppg. Meaning 1lb in 1 gallon of water gives you a 1.043-1.045 OG. Since your adding dme to a 5 gallon batch there is some more math involved.

    For every pound of dme you add to a finished 5 gallon batch youl be adding approximately 8 or 9 gravity points.

    1 lb of dme in your last batch would give you approximately a 1.090 OG.

    2lbs of dme would give you approximately a 1.100 OG.

    Depending on your yeast strain you can figure out an approximate abv with brewing software.
     
    #4 psnydez86, Apr 8, 2015
  5. VTBrewser

    VTBrewser Initiate (0) Apr 8, 2015

    Thanks guys! The honest answer here, is yes, I just want a bigger beer than 8.1%. I prefer to let really high test stuff take up cellar space for long periods of time. Better rewards, flavor wise, wspscott. And yes, it is an extract kit that I did at full boil (7.75 gal original boil (because you lose a ton to evap up here in the north country dead of winter boiling outside)). I am a mashtun away from making the switch to AG, but extracting for now. I take my own gravity readings because I want absolute certainty, not just take the recipes word for it. I am quite thorough and precise. Lukass, thanks for the recipe referral, as that may be my best bet with making an interesting beer here, but the figures psnydez86 gave me were exactly what I was hoping for. I will see what the mr malty pitch calculator tells me for a roughly 1.100 target, making the blend aprox. 1.091 OG, which is more the power i'm after for this future winters head bomb. Any concerns or advise for fermenting a 1.100 batch? Never done that high gravity before. I recall Palmer noting to avoid higher ale temp ranges? Not positive though. Thanks again fellas.
     
    #5 VTBrewser, Apr 8, 2015
  6. telejunkie

    telejunkie Savant (1,107) Sep 14, 2007 Vermont

    You can definitely go that route...but one thing to take into consideration is that the barrel is going to boost your alcohol too. Just recently talked to a brewer at the Bruery about a barrel aged beer called Mash they do. It went into the barrel at 11% and came out at 12.5%. Allagash Curiuex goes in at 9% and comes out at 11%. So you're potentially looking at a boost of the stout that would put you in that 10% ballpark even without jacking up your 2nd batch.
     
    #6 telejunkie, Apr 8, 2015
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  7. bushycook

    bushycook Zealot (681) Jan 31, 2011 Virginia

    And because of this make sure the beer has the body you want, as the added alcohol will thin the finished product.
     
    #7 bushycook, Apr 9, 2015
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