Fruit Beer Succulent Strawberry Blonde

[Chavi]

I got my frozen strawberries from publix if that helps explain the color?

 

[Bluelinebrewer]

Interesting... I bought mine at Wal-Mart, Great Value brand. I used to buy Dole, but I didn't see any 4 lb bags of Dole, just the off-brand. We'll see how pink mine gets!

 

[vhanley]

My first one blew the air lock off and produced one helluva strawberry volcano!! Lol. Second time around I didn't see as much activity. I say you're safe at a week. I know 8 lbs sounds like a lot, but as it ages for a couple weeks, the strawberry flavor seems to mellow out. 5 pounds just means you'll have to drink faster!!

Ha! I guess I'll just have to make it again and adjust! ;-) Thanks again for the help!

 

[vhanley]

I did have one other question. Is a month in the tertiary right? Seems like a really long time.

 

[Bluelinebrewer]

I did have one other question. Is a month in the tertiary right? Seems like a really long time.

It is a long time... Probably way too long. I'd say a week is plenty good enough. The first time I brewed this, I got busy and just didn't have time to bottle, so it ended up being there for a month. The second time I brewed it I only left it in for about two weeks, but I think you could get away with a week. Maybe some other guys will chime in on this...

 

[WildGingerBrewing]

Interesting... I bought mine at Wal-Mart, Great Value brand. I used to buy Dole, but I didn't see any 4 lb bags of Dole, just the off-brand. We'll see how pink mine gets!

Im pretty sure my wife bought the wal mart great value brand this time too.

I did have one other question. Is a month in the tertiary right? Seems like a really long time.

Way ling if you ask me. I usually do 2 weeks in primary, 1 week on berries, 1 week in terrtiary and then cold crash for a week.

Hey blue, i winder if there is a way to merge the two threads together? It would sure make this conversation easier! Hahaha

 

[Quesplosive]

Ok guys, my blonde is getting to that spot where you look forward to the next one as you are drinking one. Cant wait to see how it is as time goes on. I was a bit down on the taste early on but letting it sit it has really changed for the best.

 

[Bluelinebrewer]

Hey blue, i winder if there is a way to merge the two threads together? It would sure make this conversation easier! Hahaha

If only there was a "Merge" button!! I keep forgetting which thread I'm on! Lol.

 

[Bluelinebrewer]

Ok guys, my blonde is getting to that spot where you look forward to the next one as you are drinking one. Cant wait to see how it is as time goes on. I was a bit down on the taste early on but letting it sit it has really changed for the best.

How long have you had it in the bottle? And you're right.. it gets much better with a little aging!

 

[vhanley]

It is a long time... Probably way too long. I'd say a week is plenty good enough. The first time I brewed this, I got busy and just didn't have time to bottle, so it ended up being there for a month. The second time I brewed it I only left it in for about two weeks, but I think you could get away with a week. Maybe some other guys will chime in on this...

OK, makes sense. Think I'll probably go the "halfway" route and go for the two weeks then. I don't have a place to cold crash it, so maybe that's the safer route?

 

[Bluelinebrewer]

OK, makes sense. Think I'll probably go the "halfway" route and go for the two weeks then. I don't have a place to cold crash it, so maybe that's the safer route?

Yeah, I think you'll be fine. I never cold crashed anything until just recently, so neither of my batches of this brew were cold crashed and they were fine.

 

[vhanley]

What's the best time length for conditioning in the bottle for this one? 30 days?

 

[WildGingerBrewing]

I usually start drinking within 2 weeks. 30 days is probably a good length of time but i can't usually wait that long.

 

[vhanley]

I usually start drinking within 2 weeks. 30 days is probably a good length of time but i can't usually wait that long.

Ha ha, I usually have that same problem! I was really good on the last brew and waited the full 30.....easier to do because I was on travel for work though.

What's your thoughts on frozen or fresh berries? I went fresh for my first time. Chopped them in half then quartered the halves.

 

[WildGingerBrewing]

I always use frozen. Pretty sure blueline does too.

 

[Bluelinebrewer]

I always use frozen. Pretty sure blueline does too.

Yep, I've always used frozen!

 

[WarrantedFED]

I guess absent hearing of the use of frozen strawberries I would Vitamix purée those bad boys, then heat to 160 degrees for 6 minutes, cool, then dump into the secondary. That's what I did when I made huckleberry blackberry mead and it turned out bursting with flavor!

 

[BadDeacon]

Quick question: should I wait for primary fermentation to subside or stick to the 6 days?? Mine has been rocking for 5 days with no indication of slowing down.

 

[Bluelinebrewer]

I guess absent hearing of the use of frozen strawberries I would Vitamix purée those bad boys, then heat to 160 degrees for 6 minutes, cool, then dump into the secondary. That's what I did when I made huckleberry blackberry mead and it turned out bursting with flavor!

Oh don't worry, the frozen strawberries provide PLENTY of flavor!

 

[Bluelinebrewer]

Quick question: should I wait for primary fermentation to subside or stick to the 6 days?? Mine has been rocking for 5 days with no indication of slowing down.

Let it finish. Otherwise, you're gonna have one helluva strawberry volcano!!

 

[WarrantedFED]

Oh don't worry, the frozen strawberries provide PLENTY of flavor!

I'm sure, I tend to go overboard. I did read that someone felt that with the heat treatment I mentioned could lead to diminished flavor akin to preserves.

 

[Bluelinebrewer]

I'm sure, I tend to go overboard. I did read that someone felt that with the heat treatment I mentioned could lead to diminished flavor akin to preserves.

Yeah, I've never gone with that method. The first time I made this recipe, I hoped and prayed that the freezing would kill any bacteria! Lol. So far, so good!

 

[vhanley]

Oh don't worry, the frozen strawberries provide PLENTY of flavor!

Huh.....I was initially worried about anything they might use on the berries from the packing plant, but if you all swear by the frozen, I'll have to give it try on the next batch!

 

[brnooewb]

I have brewed this twice now. First time was the extract recipe and this last time I did the all grain version. I am set to bottle the all grain batch on Monday. Great beer.
One criticism I got from a couple different people was that it hat a kind of plasticky aftertaste on my extract batch. I couldn't taste it but I've had 2 people say they could any ideas?

 

[Bluelinebrewer]

Hmmm, I got nothing... I've never experienced that. I saw a thread recently about someone else having an issue with a "plasticy" taste.. ill see if I can locate it.

 

[WildGingerBrewing]

Look up "chlorophenal". Comes from chlorinated tap water and creates medicnal or plastic-like flavors. Just a thought.

 

[vhanley]

Look up "chlorophenal". Comes from chlorinated tap water and creates medicnal or plastic-like flavors. Just a thought.

Yeah, that'll do it. In the Woodbridge VA area they use a chlorination substitute that doesn't boil out I have to use bottled water. A buck a gallon is well worth the cleaner taste.

 

[Bluelinebrewer]

Look up "chlorophenal". Comes from chlorinated tap water and creates medicnal or plastic-like flavors. Just a thought.

Yeah!! That's the word. I knew I had read a thread about it somewhere.. but I couldn't find it.. I.e. the search function on this mobile app sucks balls!

 

[vhanley]

I gave a brew book that is awesome and free...forgot the dude's name..had a few ;-), that goes over that really well. If you pm me I can email it to you

 

[cossacks19]

Just kegged a slightly modified version of this on Saturday and had a taste. I brew 10 gallons with a buddy and we split into two 5 gallons. Both loved the taste right out of the fermenter, and we are usually IPA drinkers. Wife loved it too and said she can't wait until its carbed, she doesn't usually like the stuff we make. Awesome thanks guys!!!