[MrDonde]

Hello,

A friend hooked me up with several pounds of fresh dewberries, a type of blackberry, and I was kicking around the idea of making a blonde ale with them.

I was looking for suggestions on hops for bittering and finishing. I was thinking Hallatter for bittering and Saaz for finishing.

Any suggestions or experience using dewberries/blackberries?

[denny]

I'm not sure any finishing hops at all would be appropriate.  Why not leave them out and let the fruit speak?

[MrDonde]

I'm not sure any finishing hops at all would be appropriate.  Why not leave them out and let the fruit speak?

So are you saying just use the Hallatter? Or no hops at all?

[denny]

I'm not sure any finishing hops at all would be appropriate.  Why not leave them out and let the fruit speak?

So are you saying just use the Hallatter? Or no hops at all?

Just the Hallertauer. 

[santoch]

I'm with Denny.
Keep the fruit front and center.  Any noble hop or noble progeny (Mt Hood, etc) would be fine.

[MrDonde]

I'm with Denny.
Keep the fruit front and center.  Any noble hop or noble progeny (Mt Hood, etc) would be fine.

Update on the dewberry blonde:

I went with Denny's advice and only used the Hallatter. I moved from the primary to the secondary yesterday and thus far it is tasting great. I added the fruit to the secondary and I am planning on giving it a week then tasting it. Really excited for this beer and the contest I am submitting it to.

Thanks again for all the advice.

[santoch]

The yeast will kick in again and you may get quite a vigorous second fermentation, but sometimes it can be slow, depending on how much of your yeast has already flocked out.  Both are normal.  I'd give it more time than just a week.  Let it ferment out.  Your patience will be rewarded.

[MrDonde]

The yeast will kick in again and you may get quite a vigorous second fermentation, but sometimes it can be slow, depending on how much of your yeast has already flocked out.  Both are normal.  I'd give it more time than just a week.  Let it ferment out.  Your patience will be rewarded.

Thanks for the tip. Thus far I have not noticed any yeast activity. But I will let it keep for a while. I am a little pressed for time since this is for a contest. But I think I can give a extra week or two.