Fruit Beer Succulent Strawberry Blonde

[SupervisingChildren]

I was thinking of adding other fruit too like bananas. Maybe even kiwi and / or some other stuff. Think I'll tamper with the second batch and see what happens. Any thoughts?

 

[Bluelinebrewer]

I was thinking of adding other fruit too like bananas. Maybe even kiwi and / or some other stuff. Think I'll tamper with the second batch and see what happens. Any thoughts?

I've thought long and hard about trying another fruit, just haven't done it yet. I'm not sure about the bananas, but I really think the kiwi would be amazing! If you try it, let me know. Hell, I might just do it myself!

 

[RitalinIV]

Banana-flavored beer is something I am familiar with... as an off taste
No on the banana for me but a big "hell yes" on the kiwi! Other than the super-small seeds, it sounds like a great and original idea. If I could ever find them fresh, I have always wanted to brew a passion fruit ale myself.

Keep us posted,

-Ritalin

 

[DixonBeer75]

I actually made what I called an Island Hopper which was a pretty bold IPA. I used banana and coconut extract in the boil. I had some friend who are major hop heads who lived it and some others that weren't big fans. I feel you should always try things once, I know I will make this brew again. I thought it was a great summer IPA and I'm not against making it for the winter either. Next on my list to brew Pumpkin Lager "Jack-O-Lager and Toasted Coconut Chocolate Stout.

 

[RitalinIV]

I tried this batch the first time last night. It was purely AWESOME! the first thing you smell as you bring the glass to your lips is strawberry. As you go for your first pull, you think, "man, this is going to be ridiculously overpowering with strawberries." It is totally not! It is magic. I could still taste the hops in the background too.

I had to cut my neighbors off in order to save some for later. Great recipe! Thanks again fro sharing!

-Ritalin

 

[Bluelinebrewer]

I tried this batch the first time last night. It was purely AWESOME! the first thing you smell as you bring the glass to your lips is strawberry. As you go for your first pull, you think, "man, this is going to be ridiculously overpowering with strawberries." It is totally not! It is magic. I could still taste the hops in the background too.

I had to cut my neighbors off in order to save some for later. Great recipe! Thanks again fro sharing!

-Ritalin

Glad you like it!! Its always been a crowd pleaser around here.

 

[scrub0bk]

just brewed this last night, made a big mistake though and pitched at too high of a temp. im at 1.060 as of now, going to keep an eye on it for about 3 days and see what happens. Think it is salvageable? i dont really want to dump, but i dont really want to waste another batch of yeast and the strawberries. i need to be more careful

 

[Bluelinebrewer]

How high was your temp when you pitched?

 

[scrub0bk]

How high was your temp when you pitched?

honestly, im not sure. the bucket was slightly warm to the touch. Major F-up on my part. I didnt have a thermometer, but i ordered one right away so that this won't happen again. The wort was cooling for a good hour in an ice bath and it had the gallon of cold water added at that point. I didnt realize how warm it was because the cold water threw me off.

 

[Bluelinebrewer]

honestly, im not sure. the bucket was slightly warm to the touch. Major F-up on my part. I didnt have a thermometer, but i ordered one right away so that this won't happen again. The wort was cooling for a good hour in an ice bath and it had the gallon of cold water added at that point. I didnt realize how warm it was because the cold water threw me off.

Give it another 24 hours and check your SG. If it hasn't dropped at all, I'd say repitch your yeast and see what happens. It could cause some off flavors, but, then again it may not. I definitely wouldnt pitch the wort at this point!

 

[scrub0bk]

Yeah i was planning on giving it another day or so. I'm just gonna keep measuring the SG and see what i get, hoping for the best!

 

[Bluelinebrewer]

Yeah, I think either way you'll be fine. Did you use liquid yeast or dry? Starter or no starter?

 

[scrub0bk]

Yeah, I think either way you'll be fine. Did you use liquid yeast or dry? Starter or no starter?

liquid wyeast, the slap pack. im assuming thats with a starter (sorry noob to this haha)

if i repitch, should i do the same? or go with a different yeast of the same?

 

[Bluelinebrewer]

liquid wyeast, the slap pack. im assuming thats with a starter (sorry noob to this haha)

if i repitch, should i do the same? or go with a different yeast of the same?

We're all noobs at some point! No, that's not a starter. A starter consists of basically making a small amount of wort, and pitching your yeast to raise the number of viable yeast cells... There's a little more to it than that, but do a quick search and you'll find plenty of info! Depending on the "best by" date of your Wyeast pack, it make be a really slow start. If you have to repitch, I would probably go with a dry yeast like Safale S-05. Others have used it with this recipe with good results.

 

[scrub0bk]

We're all noobs at some point! No, that's not a starter. A starter consists of basically making a small amount of wort, and pitching your yeast to raise the number of viable yeast cells... There's a little more to it than that, but do a quick search and you'll find plenty of info! Depending on the "best by" date of your Wyeast pack, it make be a really slow start. If you have to repitch, I would probably go with a dry yeast like Safale S-05. Others have used it with this recipe with good results.

Awesome thank you for that. I'll do the dry yeast if i have to repitch.

EDIT: If i do so, should i make a starter for it? Or just pitch it as is? First time using Dry yeast, i see mixed reviews haha

 

[Bluelinebrewer]

Awesome thank you for that. I'll do the dry yeast if i have to repitch.

EDIT: If i do so, should i make a starter for it? Or just pitch it as is? First time using Dry yeast, i see mixed reviews haha

I've always had good result pitching it straight from the packet. Some will say you should rehydrate it first, directions are on the packet, but many don't rehydrate first. You won't need a starter for dry yeast, as there is a greater yeast cell count in a packet of dry yeast vs. a vial/pack of liquid yeast. So, rehydrate or don't, either way you'll make beer! I'll be surprised if you don't wake up tomorrow to find active fermentation, let me know how it all turns out!

 

[scrub0bk]

I've always had good result pitching it straight from the packet. Some will say you should rehydrate it first, directions are on the packet, but many don't rehydrate first. You won't need a starter for dry yeast, as there is a greater yeast cell count in a packet of dry yeast vs. a vial/pack of liquid yeast. So, rehydrate or don't, either way you'll make beer! I'll be surprised if you don't wake up tomorrow to find active fermentation, let me know how it all turns out!

haha you were right, i got home from work, checked it, nice layer of krausen on the top, and it looks like the OG dropped a bit. and i mean a very slight bit. Gonna let it hang out for a couple days before i even open it anymore, i'll watch for bubbling as well.

Think i safe to let it go the 7? or should i check in a couple days and see what the OG is say in a day or 2. Not sure the effects of me opening the lid everyday are gonna be, i just wanna make sure were fermenting, and make sure it goes well

 

[Bluelinebrewer]

Awesome! Any idea what the "best by" date was on the yeast you pitched? Yeah, opening the lid could potentially cause you some infection issues. I'd let it go for the 7 days, and check the SG. If it's dropped quite a bit, check it again in a day or so and see if it stays the same. If it does, you're good to go! If not, pitch some dry yeast. Even if you've got a stuck fermentation, you can pitch some dry yeast and you'll be fine.

 

[scrub0bk]

Awesome! Any idea what the "best by" date was on the yeast you pitched? Yeah, opening the lid could potentially cause you some infection issues. I'd let it go for the 7 days, and check the SG. If it's dropped quite a bit, check it again in a day or so and see if it stays the same. If it does, you're good to go! If not, pitch some dry yeast. Even if you've got a stuck fermentation, you can pitch some dry yeast and you'll be fine.

I didnt get to check unfortunately. I'll open it up sunday, see what the SG is and go from there. if we got a drop, check monday and if all goes according to plan, rack onto the berries that night

 

[WildGingerBrewing]

Just dont get in a rush. Which is really hard to do with this beer. Primary for two weeks will hurt nothing! This should be a four week beer prior to bottling. Relax and let the yeast do their thing.

 

[scrub0bk]

i just racked onto the strawberries after 10 days. OG was 1.020. compared to my first brew (belgain wheat) there was very very little krauzen, a lot more sediment though in the primary. I think im gonna leave it on the secondary for about a week, then rack onto tertiary for about another 10-14 days. Think this is a good idea? I'm a bit worried there wasnt much krauzen but a lot of sediment, but obviously i got fermentation if i dropped from about 1.055 to 1.020.

 

[WildGingerBrewing]

i just racked onto the strawberries after 10 days. OG was 1.020. compared to my first brew (belgain wheat) there was very very little krauzen, a lot more sediment though in the primary. I think im gonna leave it on the secondary for about a week, then rack onto tertiary for about another 10-14 days. Think this is a good idea? I'm a bit worried there wasnt much krauzen but a lot of sediment, but obviously i got fermentation if i dropped from about 1.055 to 1.020.

if your fermentation is complete, there is nothing to worry. I wouldnt leave the beer on berries for 2 weeks but i honestly cant tell you why. I just wouldnt. 7-10 days tops. More time in terrtiary will not hurt anything. Cold crash it for a week or two and let it clear up. It will help.

 

[scrub0bk]

if your fermentation is complete, there is nothing to worry. I wouldnt leave the beer on berries for 2 weeks but i honestly cant tell you why. I just wouldnt. 7-10 days tops. More time in terrtiary will not hurt anything. Cold crash it for a week or two and let it clear up. It will help.

Yeah thats my plan, about 7 days on berries then into territiary until fermentation is fully complete.

 

[WildGingerBrewing]

Fermentation should be complete before you rack onto berries. Secondary fermentation is a misnomer. Fermentation only occurs once, unless you add more fermentable sugar. In my experience, adding the berries does not cause another fermentation so the beer should be done when you rack. The terrtiary stage is only for clean up. Check your gravity and if it is unchanged for 3 days, fermentation is complete. Then rack o to berries.

 

[jtd_419]

Fermentation should be complete before you rack onto berries. Secondary fermentation is a misnomer. Fermentation only occurs once, unless you add more fermentable sugar. In my experience, adding the berries does not cause another fermentation so the beer should be done when you rack. The terrtiary stage is only for clean up. Check your gravity and if it is unchanged for 3 days, fermentation is complete. Then rack o to berries.

So you're saying that the natural sugars contained in all fruits are not fermentable, I do believe that you need to rethink that

 

[WildGingerBrewing]

So you're saying that the natural sugars contained in all fruits are not fermentable, I do believe that you need to rethink that

no. Not saying that. Im saying the by the time fermentation is complete, the yeast are done. In my 4 years of brewing this beer, it has NEVER started fermentation again. Ever. Once the beer reaches FG, its done. The berries give it flavor, but will not kick start the yeast into dropping you FV even more.

 

[SupervisingChildren]

no. Not saying that. Im saying the by the time fermentation is complete, the yeast are done. In my 4 years of brewing this beer, it has NEVER started fermentation again. Ever. Once the beer reaches FG, its done. The berries give it flavor, but will not kick start the yeast into dropping you FV even more.

That's why you do the 2 week primary, correct? I had one or 2 gushers in the first few batches which I think were from tossing in the strawberries too early when the yeast was still active.

Question: kegging my current batch. Tertiary then keg, or terriary in the keg?

 

[WildGingerBrewing]

That's why you do the 2 week primary, correct? I had one or 2 gushers in the first few batches which I think were from tossing in the strawberries too early when the yeast was still active. Question: kegging my current batch. Tertiary then keg, or terriary in the keg?

yup! i did terrtiary in the keg in my last batch and i wasnt happy with it. It didnt clear and it didnt age right. I would terrtiary, then go the keg.

 

[SupervisingChildren]

yup! i did terrtiary in the keg in my last batch and i wasnt happy with it. It didnt clear and it didnt age right. I would terrtiary, then go the keg.

Excellent, thanks for the advice! Will be racking that to tertiary after dinner, assuming I'm not in a food coma.

 

[cswalker]

Here's a little label I made up for it!

[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure if this is enticing, or perplexing.