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Author Topic: how much fruit in the beer?  (Read 1202 times)

Offline saintpierre

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how much fruit in the beer?
« on: July 22, 2010, 03:40:27 pm »
I brewed 6.5 gallons of California Common (Anchor Steam clone) last weekend and for my inlaws anniversary I would like to add cranberries to recreate a Cranberry Steam Beer my mother-in-law had in college and has told me about ever since I met my wife.

This was my recipe...
9 lb 2-row
2 lb Munich
1 lb Crystal 40L
0.5 lb Victory
1/8 lb Light Chocolate
1 oz N. Brewer (60 min)
1.5 oz N brewer (15 min)
1.5 oz N brewer (1 min)

So... How much cranberry should I add?  I have a 96 oz can of cranberry wine base and a 2 oz bottle of cranberry flavoring.
Mike St. Pierre, P.E.
Maine Ale & Libation Tasters (MALT)
BJCP Certified
[719.4, 74.1] AR

Offline majorvices

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Re: how much fruit in the beer?
« Reply #1 on: July 22, 2010, 04:00:30 pm »
The general rule is 1-2 lbs per gallon. But I am not sure about cranberries since they can be so tart and bitter.

Offline hopaddicted

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Re: how much fruit in the beer?
« Reply #2 on: July 22, 2010, 06:58:44 pm »
I've heard the same 1-2 lbs ROT numerous times in researching for a Cranberry Lambic. I am going to start on the low side, but I have a much longer time and easier product to tweak with.

Keep in mind you can always add more, but can't take it away easily. I can blend too, so wasn't too concerned with it being too fruity. I would suggest using the fruit base (or just frozen berries) and tweaking with the extract.
Primary: Lambic
Secondary: Oktoberfest, German Pilsner, Double IPA,
In Bottles: Lucknow IPA clone, Rough Rider Brown Ale clone,
John Harvard Imperial Stout clone, Hoppy Amber, Witch's Brew (Habanero and Smoked Corn Small Ale), Porter, Dunkleweizen, Dry Stout, Irish Red Ale, American Maple Wheat Ale, Black Wit, Belgian style Wit, Belgian Golden Strong Ale
Kegged: IPA, Saison, Hoppy Brown Ale

Offline saintpierre

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Re: how much fruit in the beer?
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2010, 03:17:50 pm »
The general rule is 1-2 lbs per gallon. But I am not sure about cranberries since they can be so tart and bitter.

That is what I have read and have done in the past with fresh/frozen fruit but have never tried cranberry since it can be tart. Plus I have never used fruit flavoring extract.
Mike St. Pierre, P.E.
Maine Ale & Libation Tasters (MALT)
BJCP Certified
[719.4, 74.1] AR