it's tart cherry season in the midwest -- what should I brew with them!

RBlagojevich · 07-02-2009, 05:36 AM

Gonna pick tart cherries on Sunday. What beer should I brew to use them in?

-a dry, tart saison?
-a malty, toffee-ish dubbel?
-a 12% ABV Belgian dark strong to drink at Christmastime?

or something else?

Parker36 · 07-02-2009, 05:57 AM

Trick question, all of the above (plus a wheat)!

RBlagojevich · 07-02-2009, 06:23 AM

how many pounds of cherries are appropriate in a 5-gallon batch? I've never put fruit in my secondary before.

**Cpt_Kirks** · 07-02-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RBlagojevich

how many pounds of cherries are appropriate in a 5-gallon batch? I've never put fruit in my secondary before.

Depends on how much cherry taste you want. For a mild wheat beer, 3 to 5 pounds, IMHO.

**Brewmasters Warehouse** · 07-02-2009, 03:55 PM

Be very careful when brewing with tart cherries. I used them once by accident (thought I bought sweet cheeries) and the tart flavor compeltely dominated a wheat beer. I used 2 cans pureed in the secondary and the beer was not bad, but I do not like tart flavor very much. I ended up giving them to a friend, and he enjoyed the beer.

**Cpt_Kirks** · 07-02-2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brewmasters Warehouse

Be very careful when brewing with tart cherries. I used them once by accident (thought I bought sweet cheeries) and the tart flavor compeltely dominated a wheat beer. I used 2 cans pureed in the secondary and the beer was not bad, but I do not like tart flavor very much. I ended up giving them to a friend, and he enjoyed the beer.

I'm brewing a big wheat (5 gallons of cherry, 3 gallons of American) with the order you just sent me.

For cherries, I have 3 cans of Kroger tart and one can of Oregon fruit. I used 5.5 pounds last time, that was too much.

RBlagojevich · 07-02-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brewmasters Warehouse

Be very careful when brewing with tart cherries. I used them once by accident (thought I bought sweet cheeries) and the tart flavor compeltely dominated a wheat beer. I used 2 cans pureed in the secondary and the beer was not bad, but I do not like tart flavor very much. I ended up giving them to a friend, and he enjoyed the beer.

hmm... I think I would like the tartness. What was it that you didn't like about your batch? was it that you were expecting a sweet cherry flavor and it came out unexpectedly sour?

Arkador · 07-02-2009, 06:03 PM

I have only used raspberries and blueberries @ 36ounces/5gal in secondary for 5 days

Recusit8m · 07-02-2009, 06:34 PM

Im glad to see someone posting a thread in regards to sour cherries...I have a Cherry Porter recipe that calls for 5# of Sour Cherries or Choke Cherries...Im in Southern Indiana and Im not sure of what they are...Are the known as sour cherries or is it a different variety under a different name...Pardon my ignorance...lol...Thanks

RBlagojevich · 07-04-2009, 07:03 AM

yeah, they're different from sweet cherries. tart cherries are the ones commonly used in cherry pie. they're relatively more rare, but in season right now.