Suggestions for adding apricots?

[VipertheIV]

Thinking of doing an apricot ESB. Open to suggestions. Extract flavoring vs actual fruit. Fresh vs dried? Primary or secondary?

 

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

I'm a purist...so I hate using extract. Although, apricot is one of the few extract flavorings that I believe actually tastes okay.

I would still suggest fresh apricots. I do an apricot blonde quite frequently. I use 4-5lbs of fresh apricots cubed. I don't use secondary fermentors on lighter beers like this, so I typically freeze the apricots (after cubing) for 2 weeks, then I'll add them to the primary once fermentation has finished. Allow it to sit another few weeks until fermentation stops again, and you're good to go.

 

[hopheaded]

I recommend using real fruit if possible. I used an apricut extract with a nut brown, and even after cutting the recommended dose in half it carried a very unnatural flavor into the beer.

 

[kwbbpc]

Out here where I'm at, Dogfish head has a fantastic Apri-hop seasonal - Apricot and cascade/Willamette.

The brewery uses dried apricots - which i think are pureed. Dried apricots will give you a more intense apricot flavor for less apricot.

I always avoid flavorings/extracts where possible... Magic hat #9 Pale Ale (based in vermont i think) has apricot flavoring in it... some people like it... i'm not a fan.

 

[VipertheIV]

Great suggestions! I will be doing the base ESB recipe this weekend. Then brewing it again with apricots as long as I like it and think it will work.