[SecondRow_Sean]

Attempting my first fruit added beer and I'd like your input on the recipe.

5 lbs Wheat Malt
4 lbs Pilsner Malt

Mash @155 for 60

1 oz Hallertau @60

WLP300 w/1.7l starter

7lbs of frozen/thawed strawberries in secondary for approx. 10 days after primary.

Thoughts/suggestions?

[Rhoobarb]

Looks good to me.  Everything I've ever been told or read regarding the addition of strawberries advised to use a LOT of them.

[quattlebaum]

In general 1 to 2lbs of fruit per gallon of beer is fine however strawberry is a very mild fruit flavor. I suggest bumping it up to 2lbs per gallon in secondary and also NOT to use the 300 yeast because the yeast flavor will over power the fruit flavor. I suggest using something like wyeast 1010 or even 1056/ safe ale 05 to help the fruit shine through. Also try to get fresh fruit and freeze it for a fews day prior and let thaw prior to adding followed by mashing it up with a sanitized masher to get more surface area for flavor. The fresh really adds a little bit something extra.  O also mash for 90 min to help with conversion.

[SecondRow_Sean]

Thanks for the input. I was planning on getting fresh (or as fresh as possible) strawberries and freezing them a couple days prior, then thawing before adding to secondary.

For the yeast/flavor profile, I'm just looking for a hint of strawberry added to the typical estery hefe yeast- is 7lbs still too little for a 5 gallon batch?

[quattlebaum]

i would say increase it to 10lbs. Strawberry is a Very very very subtle flavor and the hefe yeast will overpower it. I have tried it and yeast dominates but hell ya never know it may be the best beer you ever made its strictly personal choice. Would love to know the results.

[SecondRow_Sean]

Ok, that makes sense- I'll up the amount of strawberries a bit. Thanks for the advice!

[Jimmy K]

I would also go with 10 lbs. The flavor of many fruits is 99% sweetness and that is gone once the yeast eats the sugars.

[bbkf]

Its going to depend on what strawberries you use.  I grow sarian strawberries that have about 50X more flavor to them then the tasteless red "water bags" that you can buy in a store.  Remember that the strawberries sold in a grocery store are genetically modified to last longer after being picked than what a "real" strawberry. 

I've never made a strawberry beer so I can't suggest an amount to use.  If I were going to make one, I'd get the strawberries from a local farm where you pick them yourself.