Michael Tonsmeire from Sapwood Cellars joins me this week to talk about very high gravity barrel aged stouts.
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Topics in This Week’s Episode (40:41)
- This week I welcome back Michael Tonsmeire. Michael is a founder of the brewery Sapwood Cellars in Columbia, MD. He is the author of the book “American Sour Beers“(Amazon Affiliate Link) as well as the blog The Mad Fermentationist online. He’s also a certified beer judge.
- We briefly discuss what’s new at his brewery Sapwood Cellars.
- Michael introduces the style of very high gravity barrel aged stouts, which is largely an extension of the traditional Imperial Stout.
- We discuss starting and finishing gravities as well as how you balance the high sweetness/maltiness from the very high finishing gravities.
- Michael explains how the mash and boil are done either by using sugars/liquid malt to supplement a regular mash or by doing multiple mashes and an extremely long boil to concentrate it.
- We discuss fermentation considerations at these very high gravities including yeast hydration, multiple oxygen additions and also concerns like osmotic shock.
- Michael provides his other fermentation tips, including cold aging.
- Michael discusses barrel aging, what it adds to the beer and some tips for minimizing oxygen transfer.
- We talk about alternatives to barrel aging including wood chips, spirals and mixing with small amounts of spirits.
- Michael talks about added flavorings like maple extract, cocoa nibs, and vanilla.
- We talk briefly about blending finished beers which is commonly done with these styles.
- Michael gives his closing thoughts.
Sponsors
- Thank you to our sponsor Craft Beer and Brewing Magazine for sponsoring this episode. I encourage you to subscribe to their great magazine!
- Thank you to our sponsor The Barrel Mill, Try putting a twist on tradition with their amazing wood spirals. Visit www.infusionspiral.com for more info.
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Related Beer Brewing Articles from BeerSmith:
- Innovative Lagers with Michael Tonsmeire- BeerSmith Podcast #275
- Brewing New England IPAs with Michael Tonsmeire – BeerSmith Podcast #166
- Sour Beers with Michael Tonsmeire – BeerSmith Podcast #255
- Launching Sapwood Cellars Brewery with Michael Tonsmeire – BeerSmith Podcast #191
- American Sour Beer Update with Michael Tonsmeire – BeerSmith Podcast #209
- Barrel Aging Beers and Sours with Michael Tonsmeire – BeerSmith Podcast #149
- Craft Brewery Operations with Michael Tonsmeire – BeerSmith Podcast #228
- Nano-Brewery Start Up with Michael Mraz – BeerSmith Podcast #97
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