6 replies to this topic

[BrewerGeorge]

I have a sweet stout that I have been planning to secondary with cocoa nibs. I only have 4 oz of nibs, though, and I've been thinking that might not be enough to even bother with. Anybody used them and have an opinion?

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

I have a sweet stout that I have been planning to secondary with cocoa nibs. I only have 4 oz of nibs, though, and I've been thinking that might not be enough to even bother with. Anybody used them and have an opinion?

haven't used them but my google-fu says 4-8oz is typical. I also saw soaking in vodka to prep them for secondary addition. If this is your first time I think the low end (4oz) might not be a bad place to start.

[djinkc]

I've used them once. Whatever Whole Foods had packaged went in 10 gallons - I think it went straight into the fermenter out of the package. Usually this is a once a year Christmas beer, coffee and vanilla go in the stout too. It was fine. I've switched to either Cocoa powder or Giradelli (sp?) chocolate coffee for that brew. I can't tell much difference but maybe others can

[drewseslu]

For one 5 gal keg, 4oz should be great, George. I think I used six ounces in five gallons, but it only had minimal contact time, and was great, very chocolatey.I'm working on another one, a Chocolate Imperial Brown Ale with carob molasses, and planning to get nibs from Patric Chocolate in Columbia, MO, but I plan to use an amount more like what you have, but for a week or so of contact time.

[DieselGopher]

+1 to what these guys said. I used 2 whole foods packages in a 10 gal batch, and everyone who tried it said it was good, a few even said to give it more chocolate next time. FWIW, I didn't soak in vodka or anything, just racked the beer on top of the nibs in secondary for about 10 days.

[BrewerGeorge]

Ok, I racked the stout onto the 4 oz cocoa soaked in about 1/2 cup absolut about an hour ago. Just got around to sampling and tasting, and there is already a noticeable chocolate flavor. The stout itself turned out fantastic, too. Went from 1.060 down to 1.022 (including about 5 points worth of lactose). I used JZ's recipe with Wilamette subbed for EKG, and I was chicken and backed off the recommended black patent from 1 lb down to .75 lb. I've had some bad experiences with patent before, but I think the extra 1/4 lb would probably have been an improvement - give it a little more espresso-like taste. Anyway, it's still very good.Thanks, Guys!ETA: I came this close to buying a raspberry vodka to soak the nibs in, but it was Smirnoff and I wasn't confident about the quality of the flavoring. If they'd had Stoli or Absolut raspberry I probably would have gone for it. Maybe next time.

[Stout_fan]

Great idea on the flavored vodka GS.Personally I just use the cheapest stuff I can find.Yes, it comes in a large plastic bottle.If you try this, let us know how it turns out.