Açaí Berries....

[EamusCatuli]

I was thinking about using this berry, named Açaí : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%C3%A7a%C3%AD

It tastes pretty good and had very good health benefits (anti-oxidants and all that jazz). Of course anything like that would just be contradictory with the amount of alcohol thats being fermented, but heck I could give it a try. Maybe a Acai Wheat Beer of some sort?

Thoughts?? Maybe even just adding these suckers to the secondary could be good, im not sure if they could be fermented well.

 

[Quix0tic]

From what I remember, they've got a kind of understated chocolate-blueberry taste. Perhaps in a stout of some sort?

 

[EamusCatuli]

Yeah thats another option. The only thing I have had them in is this drink called Mona Vie, its like a fruit drink/ supplement. So I was thinking something more fruity *like a wheat style*

 

[k1v1116]

some of the nutritional value (oleic and linoleic acid) of the berries listed on wikipedia sound like the berries / juice would make an excellent yeast nutrient. sounds like it would make an interesting beer and maybe an amazing mead or wine.

 

[s3n8]

I actually had a bottle of acai juice with lunch today. I have heard a lot about them, but never tried it. I would describe it as a very sweet & smooth blueberry flavor. First thing I thought of was an apfelwein additive .

 

[Nate]

I think it would do well with a wheat beer. Let us know if you try it...

 

[EamusCatuli]

What does everyone suggest.....I figure if I pasteurize it then most of the other qualities of the berry (anti-ox, the good acids) would be boiled away? But I want to ferment them as well as get their full taste. If i added them to the secondary straight up without boiling would I a) be asking for trouble with infections and b) be getting any fermentable sugars out of them? What would you guys do? Secondary the best bet?

The mead or cider is sounding more and more applicable, however I think in a wheat beer they would be brilliant.

 

[Hoosierbrewer]

You could take each of these healthy fruits and add to a wheat beer. a pom wheat might not be bad.

 

[EamusCatuli]

You could take each of these healthy fruits and add to a wheat beer. a pom wheat might not be bad.

Whats pom?

 

[Hoosierbrewer]

pomenagrante or something like that.

 

[EamusCatuli]

Shoot, im pretty sure (although not 100%) that the acai berry is rich in oil. Although, dont most fruits have some sort of oil in them? We still use them in our beers.....GAH!

 

[Natron008]

You might want to check the price out before you get too far in. From what I've seen they are ridiculously expensive. I paid $25 for a bottle of concentrated Acai (not just acai) Splash at GNC. But I'm curious to how it will turn out for you.

 

[Panzermann]

Even better, I would look at http://www.sambazon.com for Acai.

Alot of the garbage you get at GNC and other places does not do Acai justice. Acai is generally served in a bowl with slices of bannana and granola sprinkled on top.

Getting the berries like stated above would cost you a pretty penny, let me know if you find any. I will look as well.

 

[flowerysong]

Acai (not just acai)

By what reasoning? Would you write Maple syrup and Wheat flour?

(If you argue for 'açaí' you might have a point.)

 

[Toninus]

Sorry for resurrecting such an old thread...

Just bought 6 kg of frozen açaï pulp (around 12€/kg), really want to make an oatmeal stout with them. I will try to make it only gently roasted (pale chocolate and carafa special only). Curious how it will turn out.
Anyone has a more recent experience with this fruit ?

And speaking about exotic flavours, I bought a few months ago from the same shop some cupuaçu pulp I put in a wheat beer fermented with verdant yeast. It smells actually quite good. I wonder if some brazilian brewers or breweries tried that.