How do I sanitize the cherrys for my beer?

[jjmeldrum]

Hello fellow brewers . This is my first time making a fruit beer and cherry's where the choice. I made the beer 1 week ago and now I want to add the cherry's but I don't know where to start. I talked to a local brewer and he said to crack the cherry's and just add them to the second fermentation. I don't know how to clean them or if I should crack them. Iam also wondering how long I should leave them in the second fermentation for? If you have any advice it would be appreciated thanks for your time.

Jeffro

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

Did you mean whole, fresh cherries?

I would wash them, pit them, mash them up with a potato masher, then heat them to 170*. Let cool, add to secondary, then rack your beer on top. Let it set for a week, then bottle or keg.

I did my last batch of cherry wheat that way. I used 5lbs of cherries, a combination of canned tart cherries and frozen black cherries.

It turned out pretty darned good.

 

[DubbelDach]

I'd also freeze them once first.... Break down the cells.

 

[jjmeldrum]

Thanks for the great advice.

 

[realestatecat]

also, save some to put on some vanilla ice cream