Use of flavoring extracts?

[Skunkape71]

Tried to search, but those words are far too broad...

Anyway, I'm looking to experiment with flavoring of some beers... Something like a blueberry wheat, etc. for my wife. What is the best way to achieve this? Seems like the addition of actual fruit would be a headache.. (plus, I'm lazy!) Which leads me to thinking of using flavor extracts.

What is the general consensus on the use of extracts? Good to go, or better off using a fruit puree? If using extract, is there a general rule of thumb on a starting point; like 2oz per 5gl, or is it purely subjective and dependent on the extract?

Please help me get pointed in the right direction! Thx

 

[BongoYodeler]

Tried to search, but those words are far too broad...

Anyway, I'm looking to experiment with flavoring of some beers... Something like a blueberry wheat, etc. for my wife. What is the best way to achieve this? Seems like the addition of actual fruit would be a headache.. (plus, I'm lazy!) Which leads me to thinking of using flavor extracts.

What is the general consensus on the use of extracts? Good to go, or better off using a fruit puree? If using extract, is there a general rule of thumb on a starting point; like 2oz per 5gl, or is it purely subjective and dependent on the extract?

Please help me get pointed in the right direction! Thx

I think puree gives the best, most realistic flavor. But I have used Apex flavoring with good results. I currently have a toasted coconut flavored milk stout on tap and it's a winner. I've had decent luck with their apricot flavoring in a wheat beer, and their pecan flavoring in a porter. On the flipside, I didn't care for their grapefruit flavoring when I added it to an ipa. It was a bit medicinal to my tastebuds.

 

[MaxStout]

Brew Hardware sells various natural fruit extracts, including blueberry. I've used the raspberry and blueberry extracts in hard lemonade and they work well.

 

[mac_1103]

What is the general consensus on the use of extracts?

Consensus? In homebrewing? You're a funny guy.

But seriously, I think it depends on the particular flavor. Folks who work at a craft brewery in my area that does tons of fruited beers told me they had numerous failures trying to get a decent peanut butter flavor until they found a good extract. And speaking of good extracts (so I've heard anyway).

edit - I see I was beaten to the punch on Apex

 

[bwible]

+1 for Apex. I’ve used a few of theirs.

Amoretti is another one some guys in my club like.

The amount you use will vary by each manufacturer. Apex recommends .1 to .3% for most of their flavors. Check the description. Just as an example, if you did .3% in 5 gallons it would be 128 oz x 5 gallons = 640 oz x .3% = 1.92 oz. They sell a 2 oz size. They have a large number of flavors from basic fruit flavors to things like snickerdoodle or capn crunch flavor.

I can’t talk about Amoretti because I haven’t used it myself. Some guys in my club like theirs.

My wife is asking for cherry wheat. I have that on my list to make soon.

 

[sixstring]

My wife doesn't like beer, but said she would be willing to try a flavoured beer. I personally don't enjoy the flavoured beers that don't taste like beer anywhere near as much as beer tasting beer. But is there a flavour that would really mask it, or are these extracts going to just mostly add character rather than all out replacement of taste?

 

[AlexKay]

I have tried a lot of different fruit beers, while avoiding whole fruit, purées, and secondary fermentation.

I’ve been mostly happy using fruit juice concentrate from Coloma Frozen, added at or near high krausen. Blueberry and passion fruit have come out best. Pomegranate and apricot, too. It may not be the optimum way to get fruit flavor in beer, but it really is super easy.