Raspberries freezer burn

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by tuckerlikesbeer, Oct 11, 2013.

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  1. tuckerlikesbeer

    tuckerlikesbeer Initiate (0) Jun 9, 2010 Colorado

    I have a lambic style brew that is approximately 14 months in the carboy. I planned to rack 2.5 gallons onto 5 lbs. of raspberries (which I picked earlier this summer). I noticed the raspberries are now covered with freezer burn as they have been in the freezer for about 3 months. Would it be okay to still use these raspberries or have they been ruined by the freezer burn? Any advice on how I should proceed?
     
  2. alanforbeer

    alanforbeer Crusader (455) Jan 29, 2011 South Carolina

    I don't really have much experience with fruit, and I don't brew lambics, but why can't you simply defrost the raspberries and taste a few of them?

    Freezer burn is merely a result of surface moisture loss and should not affect the flavor of the fruit. However, the fact that it happened to your berries means they were probably stored in a less than ideal container, and that means they may have picked up other undesirable flavors floating around in your freezer.

    Let your senses be your guide. If they taste good, then I say go for it. Fruit to beer ratio looks pretty good, btw.
     
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  3. ryane

    ryane Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2007 Washington


    Have you tasted your lambic? Too many people decide to add fruit before they taste it and see what would really mesh well with the flavors in that specific beer, IMO this ends up making a less than perfect beer, let the beer tell you what fruit (if any) to add

    For my tastes raspberries blend well with a brighter, more citrusy sour that the funk is a bit restrained in, also the acidity should be on the soft side as the raspberries will add a lot of their own pucker

    If its more earthy/funky, you migh try black cherries, dates, caramelized blood orange, or heather

    Now back to the freezer burn. Youve waited 14mos for this beer to add fruit to, why add freezer burned fruit?? Raspberries are cheap right now, go pick up some good ones, or better yet taste your beer and THEN decide what fruit to add
     
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  4. tuckerlikesbeer

    tuckerlikesbeer Initiate (0) Jun 9, 2010 Colorado


    That makes sense. I am crossing my fingers they still taste good. Thanks for the advice!
     
  5. tuckerlikesbeer

    tuckerlikesbeer Initiate (0) Jun 9, 2010 Colorado


    Yes I have definitely tasted it and raspberries are the direction I want to take it.

    But good point on the time invested already and the quality of the fruit to be added. I still will go the route of tasting the berries and decide if they are good enough to add to the beer as raspberries are not cheap up in MN. We will see though as I rather spend money then add bad berries.
     
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