Vanilla cream ale for drinking this summer!

[Foster82]

What does everyone think about this cream ale based on a recipe found here. http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f62/cream-t ... ale-66503/
I have added Carapils for a little more body and a vanilla bean in the secondary to give it a nice twist.

I plann on brewing it next weekend once I get my Oatmeal Stout out of the fermenter and into some bottles.

6.25 lb - American - Pale 2-Row
2.5 lb - Flaked Corn
1 lb - Flaked Rice
0.5 lb - American - Carapils

HOPS:
0.5 oz - Crystal for 60 min
0.5 oz - Williamette for 60 min

OTHER INGREDIENTS:
1 each - Vanilla Bean, Type: Spice, Use: Secondary

 

[LarryBrewer]

Pick out a nice neutral yeast and you'll be set. OP used US-05. I would ferment it cooler if you can with US-05 - in the low 60's.

 

[Conservidave]

Could be a nice little BIAB brew too......

 

[Foster82]

Guess I forgot to mention that I do plan on using US-05, and the grain bill is for 5.5 gallons BIAB. I normally try to end with 5.5 gallons so that my final product comes out to at least 5 gallons.

 

[Conservidave]

Guess I forgot to mention......

You didn't have to, we knew precisely where you were going :lol:
This one seems down my alley so i think i'll give it a try this summer!

 

[Nosybear]

Our local brew pub does a Vanilla Porter. Can't stand it, but it seems to be popular enough (when they brew "Naked" Porter, I'm all over it....).

 

[Hammer1]

I make this brew quite alot. It never seems to last long. You can swap out the flaked rice for instant rice and save a few bucks. I usualy make a 10gal batch and only put vanilla in 5gal...not everyone likes vanilla. Be careful though this brew is considered a "panty dropper"

 

[Conservidave]

this brew is considered a "panty dropper"

Might i suggest you wear boxers next time, :lol:

 

[Hammer1]

LOL Touche'.......

 

[Foster82]

I usualy make a 10gal batch and only put vanilla in 5gal..

How much vanilla do you normally use? I was thinking for 5gals that one bean in the secondary for a week should be about right, however it is just a guess since I have never used vanilla in any of my brews.

this brew is considered a "panty dropper" ..

Also if it turns out well I was planning on brewing some for my little sisters wedding in August. I think I will call it "Knock Your Veil Off Ale"

 

[cearum]

Also if it turns out well I was planning on brewing some for my little sisters wedding in August. I think I will call it "Knock Your Veil Off Ale"

You should call it "Knock Your vALE Off".... ehhhh... sounded better in my head. I guess some sort of emphasis on the Ale bit would be necessary, otherwise people would think you're bad at spelling.

I'm offering a different suggestion as well; drop off the Ale at the end of your name. The double ale-sound made it kind of weird to read, at least to me.

 

[Hammer1]

One vanilla bean will be plenty. The way that I do it is split the bean scrape out the seeds then cut the bean into half to one inch chuncks. Then put them in a small glass and cover them with vodka for 24hours. Then dump that into your secondary. Because I am kegging I will then cold crash for a week.

 

[Hammer1]

Since we are throwing names out there. Mine is called "Madigascar Cream Ale"

 

[Conservidave]

so does soaking in vodka help to extract the vanilla or keep the nasties out?

 

[Foster82]

One vanilla bean will be plenty.

Thanks, its on deck for this weekend. I figure that I better make a trial run first.

Also for anyone wanting to make a cream ale, here is the recipe that I put together.
http://www.brewersfriend.com/homebrew/recipe/view/30641/knock-your-veil-off-ale

 

[Hammer1]

The vodka will extract the vanilla flavor plus it don't hurt the Abv.
I just checked my recipe. The yeast that I used the most is WLP 080 Cram Ale Yeast Blend and I don't use any dextrine malt but other than that. Your recipe is the same.

 

[Foster82]

Well just look at my grain sheet from the store, they gave what they called American Pale Ale. Is there a huge differance between Pale Ale and just plain old pale 2-row? I did update my reciepe to match what I actually brewed.

 

[Hammer1]

Pale Ale and two row are the same thing. It will be fine.

 

[Conservidave]

I have been throwing around the idea of using 6 row in this recipe due to the large percentage of
adjuncts. I have read that the 6 row has more enzymatic power to help in conversion but a bit
less overall fermentables per lb. Any feedback on this?

Thanks Brewers friend! just the right Rx for cabin fever.

 

[Foster82]

I have been throwing around the idea of using 6 row in this recipe due to the large percentage of
adjuncts.

I just brewed this up on Friday and had a 74% Efficiency (OG 1.050 with 5.75 gallons collected). Adjuncts are high, but the the 2 row seemed to do the job. Also my fast fermentation test shows that I should hit a FG of 1.010.