Putting fruit in secondary

[milesbishop]

I have an IPA fermenting right now, the recipe called for 1/2 pound of hops and I'm worried some of my friends and family wont like it (I know... more for me!) However, I've always been interested on experimenting with adding fruit into secondary fermenter.. I am a begginer brewer - this only being my second ever batch - and was just wondering if theres any perticular ingredient or fruit that might counteract the bitterness of the hops that I can put in the secondary when I rack. Its a 6 gal batch. If more

 

[RobbieOByrne]

This coming from a noob.

Wow a half pound? When did you put the hops in during the boil? The first 10 minutes of a boil with release the Alpha Acids which is the bitterness. If you add hops in the last half typically that is the aroma and flavor of the hops.

The other part you wanting to add fruit. I added mashed up raisins and dates to my Quad, little did i know the fruit had a friend in it. It infected my brew. So be sure to boil it first... Otherwise i don't think it will mask the bitterness or the flavor of the hops, it will just add another profile to the total flavor.

I would suggest give it a taste, the hops may have added some great flavors... You can always make a brew for your family and friends anytime...