Vanilla-infused stouts

Not vanilla infused I guess but I get a TON of vanilla smell and flavor from Anderson Valley BB stout. Delicious.

 

i've thought about doing it several times (or doing vodka infusions and adding them to homebrew) but who knows? honestly i'd probably sterilize the beans and put them right into the beer. maybe with some cold brew coffee .

i'm not sure how much direct rum a homebrew would tolerate... would really have to experiment. also would probably want to invest in better rum (or maybe some blantons or something). with direct bourbon additions i find you really get burned by cheaping out and adding jack/etc.

 

Well, that's wierd. I thought bourbon-barrel aged Siren Noire was a chocolate stout. But looking over the Heavy Seas beers on BA, the one for Siren Noire (not barrel aged) does suggest vanilla. Are there different Siren Noires? The idea of a vanilla one intrigues me.

Edit: Oh, I see. It has both chocolate and vanilla in it.

 

great choice too bad its too pricey but man was it a GREAT beer, and I do not say that often.

 

For what it's worth, I think your original post is rather telling. The vanilla/coconut flavor that regular bourbon barrel aging imparts on a stout/barleywine is probably enough. I love vanilla flavors in my BA beers, but when actual vanilla is added, it's often added in excess.

Perhaps consider concentrating on oak aged or bourbon barrel aged stouts and forget about vanilla infused beers. Things like vanilla DL and vanilla BCBS can sometimes be too one dimensional for some.

Cheers,
Jeff

 

If You find yourself in California at the Ballast Point Tasting Room they Have a Milk Stout that is Cherry Vanilla tastes similar to Cherry Vanilla Dr pepper fantastic brew imho was my favorite that I had while there

 

Yeah, that's the one. There are like 3 different Siren Noire variants listed on BA, but there's only ever been one brewed that I'm aware of. The Heavy Seas website only lists one, as well. It's a chocolate stout aged with vanilla beans in bourbon barrels.

Had a fresh 2014 bottle earlier this year and the vanilla was very heavy. Opened a 2013 a few weeks back and the vanilla had faded significantly.

 

Something that surprised me with the amount of vanilla you could taste was Snowdrift Vanilla Porter by Leinenkugel, again not a stout, but had a really nice presence.

+1 for Victory at Sea, great beer!

Others have mentioned Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Bean, and that gives some good flavors too when it really warms out, although I thought it smelled like shit. Fortunately tasted really good.

Also Atwaters VJ Black was pretty damn good.

 

Thanks for letting me know. I'm holding a 2014 right now, so I'd better move it up the list. So many beers, so little time.

 

This. Just tried a pint can of it last night. Great, easy-drinking or dessert beer.

 

While it's listed as an imperial porter convenient distraction from o'so is excellent. For something easier to get vanilla bean buffalo sweat is good.

 

This sounds absurdly delicious, but probably pretty difficult to nab via trade I imagine?

 

I don't think it would be too hard to land a regular Vanilla Shake. Every now and then you'll see an ISO/ FT for it.
BA Vanilla Shake I rarely see. However, I believe you can buy it from their store if you REALLY want to try it. Shipping is pretty nuts though.

 

Agreed, stuff is crazy good.

 

Not super easy to get but Prairie Vanilla Noir provides a huge rush of vanilla goodness. One of my favorites for sure.

 

Dieu du Ciel's Aphrodite

 

Caldera Mogli.

 

Tallgrass Vanilla Bean Buffalo Sweat is solid. Prairie Vanilla Noir isn't bad either. Both have quite a bit of vanilla flavor.

 

Maybe it is just me but 2014 Parabola was full of delicious vanilla notes (and bourbon, of course!)

 

Best vanilla beers I've had were in order of preference; Vanilla antead, nib smuggler, and victory at sea.