Adding Cherries to a Lager

[big brew ejit]

I want to experiment with some silver can lager and want to add cherries to it but don't know what type or how to add them or when to add them.

Any pointers, methods or advice greatly received,

Phil

[trucker5774]

I can't say I have had much luck with my efforts, but from what most people say/do, it's a case of a short boil in a little water and add at the late stage of fermentation, in a secondary vessel if you wish.

[big brew ejit]

Would I leave the primary a bit short so when I add the cherries it takes it up to the 23 l. Is it just the juice or do I stick the cherries in as well?

[trucker5774]

Would I leave the primary a bit short so when I add the cherries it takes it up to the 23 l. Is it just the juice or do I stick the cherries in as well?

It's up to you really, unless you are short of head space. Remember the cherries will add more fermentables as well as brew length depending on how much water you have boiled them in.

[Rookie]

I can't say I have had much luck with my efforts, but from what most people say/do, it's a case of a short boil in a little water and add at the late stage of fermentation, in a secondary vessel if you wish.

The problem with boiling fruit is that the boil sets the pectin which causes a hazy beer, which is okay if you want a hazy beer.
I've had success adding the fruit to the secondary once the main fermentation is done. The alcohal produced makes it very hard going for any nasties.

[houblon]

Or you could steal a trick from the wine makers and use some pectolase to try and break down the pectin either before or as you brew. Just a thought, don't know how well that would actually work.

[coastie]

So will this create a proper cherry lager?

[Rookie]

So will this create a proper cherry lager?

Yes, if you add cherries to lager it's a proper cherry lager. The type of lager and the amount of cherries is up to the brewer doing the beer.

[jason123]

I did a bitter kit and added 4 jars of cherries right at the start. It had a nice cherry red tinge to the colour but the taste was nowhere near. Whatever you do follow the advice here and add the fruit to the secondary feremntation.

[Rookie]

I did a bitter kit and added 4 jars of cherries right at the start. It had a nice cherry red tinge to the colour but the taste was nowhere near. Whatever you do follow the advice here and add the fruit to the secondary feremntation.

A couple of years ago I brewed a blueberry wheat for my son-in-law. I used fresh blueberries in the secondary. At bottling time I took him to my brew room and had him taste. Then we added just a touch of blueberry flavoring until we got the exact taste he wanted.