DOSING GUIDE: SUGGESTED STARTING DOSES
Beer
The appropriate dosage depends heavily on the beer style and its flavor intensity. Delicate beers may reveal oak at relatively low dosages, while imperial stouts, porters, and strong ales may require substantially more.
American Oak
| Desired Rate | Suggested Starting Range |
|---|---|
|
Rounder mouthfeel with minimal oak flavor |
0.2–0.3% |
|
Noticeable oak in lagers, pale ales, and mild amber ales |
0.7–0.8% |
|
Pronounced oak in imperial stouts, porters, and strong ales |
1.0–1.5% |
French Oak
| Desired Rate | Suggested Starting Range |
|---|---|
|
Rounder mouthfeel with subtle oak influence |
0.1–0.3% |
|
Noticeable oak in lagers, pale ales, and mild amber ales |
0.6–0.7% |
|
Pronounced oak in imperial stouts, porters, and strong ales |
0.8–1.2% |
Wine
Wine dosage should be adjusted according to the varietal, existing tannin structure, alcohol level, and desired oak intensity.
American Oak
American Oak can be especially effective at low dosages in white wines, particularly Chardonnay, where it can enhance smoothness and creaminess while introducing subtle natural vanillin.
| Desired Rate | Suggested Starting Range |
|---|---|
|
Enhanced mouthfeel with little noticeable oak flavor |
0.2–0.3% |
|
More noticeable American Oak character |
Approximately 0.4% |
French Oak
French Oak is particularly well suited to red wines, where it can add depth, balance, structure, tannin, and classic oak character.
| Desired Rate | Suggested Starting Range |
|---|---|
|
Enhanced mouthfeel with little noticeable oak flavor |
0.2–0.3% |
|
More noticeable American Oak character |
Approximately 0.4% |
Spirits
Spirits generally require a higher dosage because of their alcohol concentration and stronger existing flavor profiles.
American Oak
American Oak provides natural vanillin, perceived sweetness, mouthfeel, toast, smoke, and roasted character.
| Desired Rate | Suggested Starting Range |
|---|---|
|
Pronounced American Oak character |
Approximately 1.0% |
The dosage may be increased or decreased according to the type of spirit, its existing intensity, and the desired oak profile.
French Oak
French Oak develops classic oak character while adding tannin, structure, complexity, and a smoother, more refined finish.
| Desired Rate | Suggested Starting Range |
|---|---|
|
Pronounced American Oak character |
Approximately 1.0% |
The dosage may be increased or decreased according to the type of spirit, its existing intensity, and the desired oak profile.
Non-Alcoholic and Other Beverages
Soluble Oak can be used in non-alcoholic spirits, ready-to-drink beverages, coffee-based beverages, teas, botanical drinks, and other finished products.
Because these beverages vary widely, testing should begin at a low dosage.
American Oak
| Desired Rate | Suggested Starting Range |
|---|---|
|
Enhanced mouthfeel with little noticeable oak flavor |
0.2–0.3% |
|
More pronounced oak character |
0.6–0.8% or higher
|
French Oak
| Desired Rate | Suggested Starting Range |
|---|---|
|
Enhanced mouthfeel with little noticeable oak flavor |
0.1–0.3% |
|
More noticeable American Oak character |
0.6–0.8% or higher
|
Delicately flavored beverages may show oak influence at very low dosages. Stronger or more complex beverages may require a higher dosage before the oak character becomes noticeable.