Oak chips strong tannin/bitterness flavor

[BurlingBrew]

I recently followed for recipe for a brown ale that called for a 1oz of French oak chips toasted in the oven at 325f for 10 minutes. Smelled delicious, buttery vanilla like aromas, needless to say I was very excited thinking this was truly going to provide an interesting characteristic to my beer. Soaked in my beer for 1 week I ended with a tannin, sweet bitterness In which I am contributing to the chips. Drinkable, but not very pleasant. Anybody experience something similar, perhaps it will fade in time and mellow out?

 

[Build]

Oak contains a lot of tannins, and high temperatures or high ph can extract polyphenols, strong astringent flavors. Did the chips burn around the edges? Most likely it will mellow over time, like a fine whiskey or wine.

 

[pythonaut]

So, and I'm not sure where I originally heard this, but I've always boiled my oak chips in water for 15 minutes (discarding the water) before adding to a brew, because I heard that just adding the chips could add a harsh tannic bitterness.

I've done this on several recipes and (2 oz chips per 5-gallons for 2 weeks) still received a huge flavor contribution from the chips, with no apparent added bitterness or harshness.

 

[BurlingBrew]

Oak contains a lot of tannins, and high temperatures or high ph can extract polyphenols, strong astringent flavors. Did the chips burn around the edges? Most likely it will mellow over time, like a fine whiskey or wine.

I don't recall any burning, all I remember thinking was how great the aroma was while baking them. Really hoping it mellows out. How long do you think that might take?? Best guess...

 

[BurlingBrew]

So, and I'm not sure where I originally heard this, but I've always boiled my oak chips in water for 15 minutes (discarding the water) before adding to a brew, because I heard that just adding the chips could add a harsh tannic bitterness.



I've done this on several recipes and (2 oz chips per 5-gallons for 2 weeks) still received a huge flavor contribution from the chips, with no apparent added bitterness or harshness.

The more I read the more I realize I should have boiled them first despite what the recipe instructions called for. Won't make that mistake twice.