Old, frozen strawberries

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by palmdalethriller, Mar 21, 2013.

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  1. palmdalethriller

    palmdalethriller Zealot (624) Dec 26, 2007 California

    Well, last year I intended to brew my award-winning strawberry hefeweissen, but never got around to it. As a result, I've had 10 lbs of strawberries in my freezer for the past 9 months. There's a good deal of frost on there, but I'm wondering if it would still be fine to dump them in secondary (thawed out, of course). I'm not too worried about bacteria or those kinda things - I just wonder if the fruit will still impart the aromas and flavors that make this beer so damn good.

    Thoughts? Should I post this on fruitadvocate.com
     
    #1 palmdalethriller, Mar 21, 2013
  2. TriageStat

    TriageStat Initiate (0) Sep 20, 2012 Pennsylvania

    pounds of strawberries per gallon you use for that hefe? never any luck w/strawberries as i think their flavor is to subtle to come fully through. however, you shouldn't have any problem with your frozen berries.
     
    #2 TriageStat, Mar 21, 2013
  3. MMAJYK

    MMAJYK Initiate (0) Jun 26, 2007 Georgia

    I used some peaches last year that had been in the freezer for over a year. They showed some frost, but I had double bagged them, so it wasnt all that bad. They worked great. I say go for it.
     
    #3 MMAJYK, Mar 21, 2013
  4. palmdalethriller

    palmdalethriller Zealot (624) Dec 26, 2007 California

    I use 2 pounds per gallon.

    I have a few techniques I use to bring the fruit flavors forward - the main one being to ferment the beer warm with the Bavarian hef yeast from wyeast. That really brings out the banana esters and that pairs so nicely with the berry aroma. The 10 pounds of strawberries helps too.
     
    #4 palmdalethriller, Mar 21, 2013
  5. AlexHouston

    AlexHouston Crusader (438) May 19, 2011 Illinois
    Trader

    I imagine fruit is one of those things that has the best flavor fresh. Why not thaw a couple ounces and see how they taste? Maybe you can just make your legendary strawberry pie instead.
     
    #5 AlexHouston, Mar 21, 2013
  6. palmdalethriller

    palmdalethriller Zealot (624) Dec 26, 2007 California

    Sample them. I should have thought of that. It's kinda obvious isn't it? Thanks.
     
    #6 palmdalethriller, Mar 21, 2013
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