Temperature when adding adjuncts to a big stout

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Bburns87, May 14, 2019.

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  1. Bburns87

    Bburns87 Zealot (690) Jun 11, 2013 Illinois

    I've tried to do some reading on this but I can't really find what I'm looking for.

    In the past, I've tried to make a stout with graham cracker in it, but I run into the issue that all the sugar (basically all the graham cracker flavor) ferments out.

    Is there any reason that I can't just lower the temp to a point that it won't ferment and add the graham cracker? Will it then just be an issue of making sure I didn't add too much sugar? I will be kegging so I don't have to worry about bottle bombs.
     
    #1 Bburns87, May 14, 2019
  2. FathomlessBrewing

    FathomlessBrewing Initiate (0) Mar 1, 2018 California

    Are you adding it to secondary? Try adding it to the mash.
     
    #2 FathomlessBrewing, May 14, 2019
  3. Silver_Is_Money

    Silver_Is_Money Devotee (337) Jun 4, 2017 Ohio

    Why not just use about 7.5 to 10% Biscuit or Victory malt as part of your grist?
     
    #3 Silver_Is_Money, May 14, 2019
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  4. Push_the_limits

    Push_the_limits Initiate (0) Feb 8, 2018 Antarctica

    If want you to add a fermentable item that wont ever ferment, you need to deactivate / kill the yeast. Or filter them out. Then add the graham cracker and put it in the keg.

    You could keep it really cold, but it will ferment albeit very slowly. You'd also need to make sure it didn't warm up. I think first option to deactivate / remove the yeast is better.
     
    #4 Push_the_limits, May 15, 2019
  5. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Graham crackers do have a lot of sugars, but they are still less than 1/3 sugar. I don't think I'd say that most of the essential flavor is sugar. And the sugar is the only part that will ferment. If it's actually the sweetness you're losing, I would try to mitigate that with a largish dose of lactose, rather than messing with back-sweetening with more graham crackers, which would be a mess IMO.
     
    #5 VikeMan, May 15, 2019
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  6. telejunkie

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

    To add to vikeman...deconstruct what graham crackers are actually adding to the beer. You're definitely looking to add sweetness and since graham crackers have milk, lactose is perfect. Cinnamon, honey, maybe a touch of vanilla extract and molasses...you may find it's easier to get to your goal by building from the bottom up instead of top down.
     
    #6 telejunkie, May 15, 2019
    209Hill, JackHorzempa, ShabamJenkins and 2 others like this.
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