Pliny the Elder clone variations advice

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by williamjbauer, May 19, 2013.

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  1. williamjbauer

    williamjbauer Initiate (0) Jan 17, 2012 Colorado

    So I brewed an all grain PtE clone from Vinnies recipe circulating around the web and was planning on breaking up the 5 gallon batch into some one gallon carboy and experimenting a bit.

    I plan to add into separate carboys coconut shreds, orange peel, medium roast French oak cubes, and BBA oak cubes. My question pertains to the timing of these additions. Should I add these now and separate the batch, or wait two weeks when I rerack to secondary?

    My only hesitation on the whole plan is that I don't really want to dry hop all carboys separately and I don't want to run the risk of infection and oxidation with too many transfers.

    Appreciate input.

    Bill
     
    #1 williamjbauer, May 19, 2013
  2. Lagger

    Lagger Initiate (0) Jan 18, 2013 California

    Secondary
     
    #2 Lagger, May 19, 2013
  3. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    Oak takes a bit of time, and I think you want to dry hop right before you bottle. That said, you should be adding hops to your 5 secondaries 7-10 days before you bottle. You're going to need a hellova lot of fruit to get that flavor to come through a big beer with lots of hops.

    Oh, the fifth secondary is for a base beer. You'll want something to compare it to. (This one is usually the one I drink up first because it's the best). :slight_smile:
     
    #3 inchrisin, May 21, 2013
  4. JohnSnowNW

    JohnSnowNW Initiate (0) Feb 6, 2013 Minnesota

    Why not dry-hop in primary, after the initial fermentation is over? Then add everything when you separate the batches from primary?

    Just a suggestion as it's what I'm doing. But when you want to experiment with bourbon and oak, I suggest making an "extract." That is, currently I have oak spirals in a mason jar of bourbon. I will not be adding the oak to the carboy, but instead be adding just the bourbon. However, It'll have a few months in the jar...too leach out some of that oaky goodness.
     
    #4 JohnSnowNW, May 21, 2013
  5. mattsander

    mattsander Initiate (0) Feb 3, 2010 Canada (AB)

    That is a lot of transferring / racking. I'd be very careful to purge everything with CO2 twice to prevent oxidation.
     
    #5 mattsander, May 21, 2013
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