My first attempt at a fruit beer, and I may have nearly made a fatal mistake. I brewed a Blonde ale two weeks ago (3 gallons) based on a recipe I found on this site:
3 lbs. 10 oz. American 2-row
1 lbs.13 oz. Malted White Wheat
10 oz. Honey Malt 20°L
15 oz. Caramel/Crystal 20°L
10 oz. Rice Flaked
0.6 oz. Hallertauer (Pellets, 4.50 %AA) boiled 60 min.
0.3 oz. Hallertauer (Pellets, 4.50 %AA) boiled 15 min.
1 TBLS Irish Moss (10 min)
German Ale Yeast – Safale K-97
I left it in the primary for 8 days and it actively fermented for 6 days (6.6%ABV already). I bought 6lbs of fresh cherries and froze them. I then thawed the cherries, put a small slit in each one, soaked them in rum for 2 days and then pasteurized them (160 degrees for 10 minutes). Then I put the whole cherries (pit and all), and some of the juice in the secondary with the Blonde ale. I was planning on leaving the beer in the secondary for 2 weeks. Today, on a brewery tour, I learned that cherry pits contain Cyanide…..OHHHHHHH NOOOOOOO. Is my beer ruined? Am I about to poison friends and myself? Does anyone have experience with cherry pits?
3 lbs. 10 oz. American 2-row
1 lbs.13 oz. Malted White Wheat
10 oz. Honey Malt 20°L
15 oz. Caramel/Crystal 20°L
10 oz. Rice Flaked
0.6 oz. Hallertauer (Pellets, 4.50 %AA) boiled 60 min.
0.3 oz. Hallertauer (Pellets, 4.50 %AA) boiled 15 min.
1 TBLS Irish Moss (10 min)
German Ale Yeast – Safale K-97
I left it in the primary for 8 days and it actively fermented for 6 days (6.6%ABV already). I bought 6lbs of fresh cherries and froze them. I then thawed the cherries, put a small slit in each one, soaked them in rum for 2 days and then pasteurized them (160 degrees for 10 minutes). Then I put the whole cherries (pit and all), and some of the juice in the secondary with the Blonde ale. I was planning on leaving the beer in the secondary for 2 weeks. Today, on a brewery tour, I learned that cherry pits contain Cyanide…..OHHHHHHH NOOOOOOO. Is my beer ruined? Am I about to poison friends and myself? Does anyone have experience with cherry pits?