So Ive decide to add cherries to a portion of a 1 year old Rye Sour. Probably going with .5-1lb per gallon as I'm just looking for some added complexity not a total fruit bomb. I'm getting cherries from the store today. I forget the name of variety but it's the ones I enjoy eating. My question is to add the pits or not? I've heard pits in general add an almond type flavor and I'm not sure that's something I want in the beer. Just looking to hear what you guys do to your cherries?? (Pun intended) Cheers. Pat.
I think I read somewhere some some people do half with pits and half without.. Reasoning is the almond flavor, and the arsenic in the pits, I believe. I'll be watching, as I'll be racking a sour stout in a bourbon barrel with some cherries soon.
I've used fresh cherries with and without pits. The almond flavor from the pits is subtle. Since you plan to use a moderate amount of fresh cherries, my suggestion is to leave the pits in and crush the cherries a little. Removing the pits isn't worth the effort. I've used cherry puree, cherry juice, cherry concentrate and dried cherries. I've used tart montmorency cherries, black cherries and bing cherries in various forms. They all provide different results. The end result has never been likened to cough syrup. Coincidentally, I have a cherry chocolate stout in the hopper right now. Used a pint of cherry concentrate that is equivalent to 12.5 pounds of cherries.
It's cyanide in the pits. Most of it will probably gas off as HCN at the acidic pH. Probably not a concern since the Belgians put multiple pounds of cherries, with pits, per gallon, into their krieks and I don't think they've killed anyone.
Hahah, I have no idea where I got the arsenic idea. Cyanide it is.. I was aware it wasn't a big deal, but something everyone comments on. I have a Boon Kriek I need to drink too.. expires in 2033, need to get it before it gets old.
Thanks for the responses guys. I pitted about 2 lbs last night and that took me about an hour and a half. I see why the Belgians aren't doing this. I'm saving the pits incase I decide to include them but I don't see an obvious benefit?
I've decided to do half with pits and half without. Some guy who apparently knows about sour beer said the almond/vanilla flavor from the pits is nice. This is an American Sour beer anyhow.
