Tart Cherry

[chadkarol]

Any one ever used any tart cherry juice or concentrate? I have a stout I want to add some tart cherries to, and I can't find anything at any grocery stores in the area, so I'm going to order something online. Any recommendations?

 

[plankbr]

Have you ruled out frozen Tart Cherries? Gordon Food Services sells them here in Cincy for $12.99 per 5 lb bag. No preservatives. Looks like they are somewhat close to you also.

http://www.gfs.com/en/store-locator.page?

 

[chadkarol]

Have you ruled out frozen Tart Cherries? Gordon Food Services sells them here in Cincy for $12.99 per 5 lb bag. No preservatives. Looks like they are somewhat close to you also.

http://www.gfs.com/en/store-locator.page?

Hmmm. Haven't ruled it out. Haven't been able to find those either. Never heard of Gordon Food Services. I'll have to find one and make a trip.

 

[smooth]

"Any one ever used any tart cherry juice or concentrate?"

I made a sour cherry stout and used tart cherry juice.

Primary fermenter, racked to a secondary fermenter, then racked into a third carboy and hit it with potassium metabisulphite then potassium sorbate, waited 24 hours, added 1 quart sour cherry juice (from Trader Joe's) into the soda keg then added the stout, force carbonated.
It was nice... I'll be brewing it again.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[sfrisby]

+1 for Trader Joes cherry juice. Super easy to use.

 

[dphornguy]

Just so I understand, you are adding the potassium sorbate to inhibit the yeast from fermenting? If so, how do you carbonate (CO2 forced only?).

 

[mday]

I used tart cherry concentrate as well as well as some cans of tart cherries in a beer that's fermenting now. I poured the juice in the boil near the end and fermented with cherries.

Here is the concentrate: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CFMGGI/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
and the closest to the canned cherries: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I6625I/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I purchased the cans locally since I didn't need the bulk quantities available online. The juice tasted quite good from the jug and the beer is coming along quite nicely.

EDIT: Checked my notes based on the comment by dphornguy: I actually added the cherry juice at flameout. I let the temperature drop a bit, then added the juice before starting my chiller.

 

[passedpawn]

Walmart carries canned tart cherries in water. Oregon brand. I've fermented them several times, and eaten them raw, and they are fine.

 

[dphornguy]

Aren't you concerned about adding them at the boil producing pectin. I would think you want to stop boil before adding.