calculating and contribution from adding bourbon to beer

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by DVoors, Oct 14, 2016.

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  1. DVoors

    DVoors Zealot (627) Jan 6, 2014 Indiana

    I'm sure there is an easy formula for this but I couldn't figure it out and didn't have any luck googling it. If I add one cup of 100 proof bourbon to 5 gallons of an 11% imperial stout, what will the final abv be? How do you determine the impact the bourbon will have on the abv? Is there an easy formula for this? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
     
  2. pweis909

    pweis909 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,250) Aug 13, 2005 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    5 gallons x 11% ABV = 0.55 gallons of alcohol

    1 cup = 8oz x 1 gal/128 oz = 8/128= 0.0625 gallons bourbon x 100 proof = 0.0625 x 50%=.03125 gallons of alcohol.

    (.55 gallons alcohol + 0.03125 gallons alcohol)/(5+,0625 total gallons) = 0.1148

    11.48% alcohol by my calculation.
     
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  3. DVoors

    DVoors Zealot (627) Jan 6, 2014 Indiana

    Awesome! Thank you!
     
  4. NeroFiddled

    NeroFiddled Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,276) Jul 8, 2002 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    A cup of Bourbon seems like an enormous amount to me in a 5 gallon batch. Just my opinion.
     
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  5. DVoors

    DVoors Zealot (627) Jan 6, 2014 Indiana

    Even in an 11% chocolate coffee imperial stout with .25 oz French oak chips?
     
  6. atomeyes

    atomeyes Initiate (0) Jul 13, 2011 Canada (ON)

    when i do oak, i put in 1.5-2 oz of cubes that have first been steamed. i minimize the amount of spirit added to the beer. but i'd guess that 15-30 mL of spirit is added
     
  7. GormBrewhouse

    GormBrewhouse Pooh-Bah (2,111) Jun 24, 2015 Vermont
    Pooh-Bah

    @DVoors, yep even with the oak an coffee, unless you want a huge bourbon presence. Kinda like a bourbon beer , not a beer with a touch of bourbon. Best of luck
     
  8. DVoors

    DVoors Zealot (627) Jan 6, 2014 Indiana

    Thanks for the advice. So if I'm trying to go for the bourbon character you get in KBS, how much bourbon and oak chips would you add?
     
  9. GormBrewhouse

    GormBrewhouse Pooh-Bah (2,111) Jun 24, 2015 Vermont
    Pooh-Bah

    Never had KBS. Others have I'm sure
     
  10. Jesse14

    Jesse14 Initiate (0) Jul 21, 2011 Massachusetts

    I just did 3 oz of bourbon in 4 gal of an 11% RIS and it is probably a touch too strong. I would start with 0.5 oz per gal and go from there. I have had a fair amount of KBS and think that will get you close.
    The oaking aspect is another story. I have tried a few different methods and have become convinced that you really can't get true oak/vanilla qualities without being in a barrel. I just add a little vanilla now to get that character and avoid the astringency that can easily happen with cubes/chips/spirals etc.
     
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