I had this idea of soaking oak chips in apple cider, which I did for few weeks. Then I said, it might go well on an Orval like beer. So I bought an Orval and made some tests by adding few drops of the cider in which the oak chips were infusing.
At small dose, it adds a subtil fresh tartness to the beer that is wonderful. At higher dose, it was too oaky, but I plan to drain the cider and pour new one a few times to drain off the oak flavors and really infuse the chips with cider taste. I'll finish with a run into 40%abv apple brandy.
So, here's my recipe. It is not a Orval clone, but highly inspired by.
5.5gallons
5 lbs Pilsner
5 lbs Pale malt
1 lb Candi Syrup Clear
0.75 lb Caramunich
0.75 lb Caravienna
1.25oz Styrian Golding 60'
1.00oz Styrian Golding 20'
0.75oz Styrian Golding 5'
1.00oz Styrian Golding DH 10 days
WLP 670 - Farmhouse Blend
Age for few weeks on 0.5oz of oak chips.
At small dose, it adds a subtil fresh tartness to the beer that is wonderful. At higher dose, it was too oaky, but I plan to drain the cider and pour new one a few times to drain off the oak flavors and really infuse the chips with cider taste. I'll finish with a run into 40%abv apple brandy.
So, here's my recipe. It is not a Orval clone, but highly inspired by.
5.5gallons
5 lbs Pilsner
5 lbs Pale malt
1 lb Candi Syrup Clear
0.75 lb Caramunich
0.75 lb Caravienna
1.25oz Styrian Golding 60'
1.00oz Styrian Golding 20'
0.75oz Styrian Golding 5'
1.00oz Styrian Golding DH 10 days
WLP 670 - Farmhouse Blend
Age for few weeks on 0.5oz of oak chips.
