I have my porter in the secondary fermenter together with the oak chips which I soaked in portwine for 2-3weeks. My beer is now in contact for 2 weeks with this chips but I can't taste any oak or portwine flavour. I have 3gal of porter and 1.5oz of soaked chips (french oak medium) in the secondary. I'm a bit confused that I can't taste any flavour at all. Will this take much longer than expected, let's say 3-4months? I did read up on this topic but got different inputs, some sources say a few days or max 1-2 weeks, other sources mention 3-4 months. Just curious if I should soak and add some chips again or just wait a few weeks/months and taste once a week or so. Any input is highly appreciated.
My wine and the wine making process are much improved by using this instead of powdered oak. I use it during fermentation and crush is easier as this strains out. I can use various types and toasts to get the oak profile I want. I even use small amounts in white wine.
I have bought and used these for different recipes. I prefer my whiskey in oak. I guess I haven't made a real connection with oak in ale yet. That being said their wasn't a bunch of fines in this. It was perfect for the recipes I was using.