100% Brett fruit addition question

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by bitterbeerguy, Dec 15, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. bitterbeerguy

    bitterbeerguy Initiate (0) Oct 23, 2011 Minnesota

    Alright, so we brewed a batch of 100% brett pale ale with a bunch of citrus hops (New Zealand)- aged on chardonnay-soaked french wine barrel chips for a month- then let settle for one month. Bottled it and it is awesome. So we decided to use the yeast cake to make another identical batch and it is screaming mandarin orange. I am thinking of adding #6-#8 mandarin orange juice (and pulp). Does this seem nuts? Too much/too little mandarin orange? Should I try and strain the pulp? I was not going to boil the juice- seem crazy? Got three wild ales going for next spring (all from same yeast cake) and having a riot with Brett trois strain from WLP in the meantime :slight_smile: Cheers! George
     
    #1 bitterbeerguy, Dec 15, 2013
  2. ryane

    ryane Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2007 Washington

    citrus will add a TON of acidity, and without the sugar to balance the flavor IMO it tends to taste flat

    I would drink it as is and skip the fruit, or if you really really want to add fruit, do it to half
     
    #2 ryane, Dec 16, 2013
  3. bitterbeerguy

    bitterbeerguy Initiate (0) Oct 23, 2011 Minnesota

    I'm trying to get some fruit flavors into the mix- what's a better approach than adding the juice/pulp? I'm open to suggestions! I just love fruit Brett beers! Thanks for the reply
     
    #3 bitterbeerguy, Dec 16, 2013
  4. atomeyes

    atomeyes Initiate (0) Jul 13, 2011 Canada (ON)

    first, juice would really thin out the beer. not sure if i'd go that route. would use actual fruit.
    6 LBS of fruit in, what? 5 gallons?
    a good fruit reference that someone posted a few weeks ago:
    http://ryanbrews.blogspot.ca/2011/03/blending-and-fruiting-lambics-my.html

    my suggestion? pull a 1 gallon sample and put in 0.5 lbs of fruit into it. let it ride for 2 months. see how it is.
    i can't really see mandarin orange tasting great, but try it.
     
    #4 atomeyes, Dec 16, 2013
  5. ryane

    ryane Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2007 Washington

    I like that that link is getting thrown around :sunglasses:, been awhile since its been updated, maybe its time.....

    My experience with citrus has not been good, juice or fruit it hasnt really worked the way I had hoped, I have added orange blossom water (in extremely minute quantities ~1mL/5gal) to add depth of flavor in beers I wanted an orange flavor, but the flavor profile while orangy is very floral

    On exception though was blood orange juice that was heavily caramelized. Though that flavor IMO is best in a darker beer
     
    #5 ryane, Dec 16, 2013
  6. bitterbeerguy

    bitterbeerguy Initiate (0) Oct 23, 2011 Minnesota

    Thanks for the post! I was thinking 6 pounds of mandarin oranges in a 5 gallon batch. Too much/too little? I could cut up the fruit into a small pieces and add that. I had WWBO and it was sublime- which was kind of the inspiration for using mandarin orange. I am open to any citrus fruit additions though- would do passion fruit or pomegranate if that would be better. The beer has galaxy and motueka hops. Yeast is brett trios. I was also going to add french oak soaked in a white wine. Keep the feedback coming!
     
    #6 bitterbeerguy, Dec 17, 2013
  7. bitterbeerguy

    bitterbeerguy Initiate (0) Oct 23, 2011 Minnesota

    Ryane- I have your blog as a bookmark on my computer :slight_smile: I reference it often!
     
    #7 bitterbeerguy, Dec 17, 2013
  8. SFACRKnight

    SFACRKnight Grand Pooh-Bah (3,348) Jan 20, 2012 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    So crooked stave st bretta spring was brewed with tangelos. They halved them, juiced them, and then threw them. Into the boil. The beer is amazing. Look into chads work with brett and fruit additions, your answers are laying in wait.
     
    #8 SFACRKnight, Dec 17, 2013
  9. atomeyes

    atomeyes Initiate (0) Jul 13, 2011 Canada (ON)

    i'd be tempted to use kumquats ...if they aren't too expensive. they actually have a stand-out flavour.
    mandarin oranges taste like what?
     
    #9 atomeyes, Dec 18, 2013
  10. bitterbeerguy

    bitterbeerguy Initiate (0) Oct 23, 2011 Minnesota

    I like the idea! I'll see what's on sale today. Might be a good brew for some passion fruit too.
     
    #10 bitterbeerguy, Dec 18, 2013
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.