calculating and contribution from adding bourbon to beer

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.

 

http://www.monashscientific.com.au/AlcoholDeterminationFortification.htm

 

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

 

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

 

@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

 

Never had KBS. Others have I'm sure

 

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.