Pale Ale & Fruit

431brew · 05-05-2009, 02:32 AM

Hi guys....been awhile.

I have a True Brew Pale Ale kit which had a can of LME and 2#'s of DME, some grains, and Williamette hops. Basic kit, and I just put it into the primary. I was thinking about bottling half of it and adding fruit to the secondary on the other half.

I prefer strawberries, but am thinking that probably blue or blackberries the only thing that had any chance of working with a Pale Ale. Have any of you used fruit with this particular beer? If so, what did you use and how did it turn out? Looking for a slightly fruit flavor/aroma.

Next beer will be a strawberry blonde, but wanted to experiment with fruit now because I have about 10 gals total of pale ales and am bored with it.

Thanks.

absolutbmc · 05-08-2009, 07:47 PM

I recently made a Watermelon Wheat beer, my original thought was to make a Watermelon Pale ale. But after talking to my LHBS, he mentioned the pale might not take the fruit flavor as well. I am still interested in this idea though.

SeamusMac · 05-08-2009, 11:13 PM

I think blackberries would compliment a pale ale quite nicely, as long as it's bitter enough to counter the tartness of the blackberries.

SteveM · 05-09-2009, 11:26 AM

I've made raspberry ale with a recipe not too different from what you describe. My recipe plus a lot of discussion on how and when to add the fruit is in the recipe section.

431brew · 05-14-2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by absolutbmc

I recently made a Watermelon Wheat beer, my original thought was to make a Watermelon Pale ale. But after talking to my LHBS, he mentioned the pale might not take the fruit flavor as well. I am still interested in this idea though.

Watermelon sounds cool. Can you get watermelon flavoring, or using the real thing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeamusMac

I think blackberries would compliment a pale ale quite nicely, as long as it's bitter enough to counter the tartness of the blackberries.

Blackberries or blueberries is what I had in mind. Prefer the blackberries but am worried about the tartness as you mentioned.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveM

I've made raspberry ale with a recipe not too different from what you describe. My recipe plus a lot of discussion on how and when to add the fruit is in the recipe section.

I will check the recipe section and may give it a try. I may only use fruit in half of it and bottle the rest in case the fruit experiment doesn't work.

red999 · 05-15-2009, 01:05 AM

I did a pale ale with pineapple and I love it. It took a while for the pineapple to mellow out but it has a very nice tart/bitterness to it that I'm liking. Its something different and its perfect for summer.

kunstler · 05-15-2009, 01:40 PM

for watermellon you can't use the real deal because well the name explains it all WATERmellon you wouldn't get much flavour, but you'd get a heck of alot of water in your beer (is it worth it esp when there are cheapier alternatives NIMO)

though I haven't done it personally - my swmbo's father is planning one and has come to the conclusion of using watermellon flavoured Jolly Rancher's in the secondary and "supposivly" it won't kickstart fermentation that much even though there is alot of sugar (at least not anymore than your normal fruit addition would add)

What the plan on this was to melt the jolly rancher's into some water (sort of like priming sugar) and then racking on top in the secondary.

Take this info for what its worth, but I do know watermellon is all water and would just water down your beer without adding much flavour.

**DubbelDach** · 05-15-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red999

I did a pale ale with pineapple and I love it. It took a while for the pineapple to mellow out but it has a very nice tart/bitterness to it that I'm liking. Its something different and its perfect for summer.

Had one made like that before... It was interesting, and definitely good!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kunstler

for watermellon you can't use the real deal because well the name explains it all WATERmellon you wouldn't get much flavour, but you'd get a heck of alot of water in your beer

Respectfully, but boisterously, disagree! Did watermelon wheat last summer and 6 cups of fresh pressed juice per 5 gallon batch was too much. I'd do 4 cups in the future. Watermelon = all water, no flavor = MYTH BUSTED!!!

431brew · 05-16-2009, 12:38 AM

The pineapple sounds interesting and I may try that later. I love pineapples, but not sure if I would love them in my beer. Was thinking of something safe like blackberries, blueberries, or strawberries, but will not be able to find fresh ones at a produce stand in my area. Can I just use concentrate or pie filling from the grocery store?

Sigthor · 05-16-2009, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 431brew

The pineapple sounds interesting and I may try that later. I love pineapples, but not sure if I would love them in my beer. Was thinking of something safe like blackberries, blueberries, or strawberries, but will not be able to find fresh ones at a produce stand in my area. Can I just use concentrate or pie filling from the grocery store?

I don't have much experience with fruit beers, but pie filling seems to scream no to me, that would probably be too much extra sugars.

not sure about concentrate, but it's also something I would avoid.

My best recommendation would be to wait until the fruit you want is in season, then go for it. My personal prefernce, though. Others may have better experience.