Blueberry Ale

DandyMason · March 11, 2012, 08:57:10 PM

Ive been wanting to do a blueberry ale for a while, anyone have a guess at pumphouse's blueberry ale?

Anyone have any experience with blueberries? Ive read people using 3-10 lbs of blueberries... ppl putting them in the primary, secondary... Puree them, pasteurize them... Id rather not end up with a purple beer.

Let me know whats best!

Kyle · March 11, 2012, 09:25:21 PM

go with a very light pale ale and use blueberry extract if you really don't want a purple beer. However, the taste will be better if you use real blueberry, about 4 pounds / 5 gal batch, pureed, pasturized, and added to secondary.

DandyMason · March 11, 2012, 09:32:26 PM

Any idea how much extract? I assume pumphouse uses extract then? Their blueberry ale isnt purple...

Jake · March 11, 2012, 09:57:41 PM

Just had a blueberry ale at Pumphouse about an hour ago ... so good on tap. They have a biere de garde around 7.5% that was unreal too. Scary smooth for 7.5 percent

Kyle · March 11, 2012, 09:59:36 PM

It depends on the brand. Avoid LD Carlson branded extracts, they are really ooor quality, in my experience. I bought quite a few of them and they were all either unnoticable or awful. Generally for subtle flavour, add 1-2oz, and for something more noticable, add up to 8oz or syrup-type extracts.

DandyMason · March 11, 2012, 10:02:05 PM

Yeah had a couple yesterday Jake... So refreshing. Absolutely love them. Im going to get some frozen berries to put also, cant wait.

Where abouts were you Jake?

Sounds good, thanks kyle! Where abouts can I get some of that extract?

Jake · March 11, 2012, 10:03:52 PM

I'm staying across the street from the pumphouse right now in Moncton. Home tomorrow afternoon. I've been doing 2 a days there the past couple days lol

DandyMason · March 11, 2012, 10:07:20 PM

hahaha Yeah they've got a pretty cool spot there, I dont blame you.

Kyle · March 11, 2012, 10:10:15 PM

I haven't tried to find other extract manufacturers since my less than stellar experience with the first. Personally, I'd just go for the purple beer and use real berries. If you do find a good extract brand, though, let me know.

DandyMason · March 11, 2012, 10:11:53 PM

Yeah we will see... Whatever pumphouse is doing seems to be working. Maybe ill see if I can find out what their process is...

Dave Savoie · March 12, 2012, 09:05:54 AM

Why not use fresh so what if its purple any extracts ive used has tasted medicinal at least with fresh you will know what you get
just sayin !!!

Kyle · March 12, 2012, 09:46:10 AM

If Pumphouse does tell you where it gets its extract, let us know eh?

DandyMason · March 12, 2012, 06:26:24 PM

Yeah not sure why im against the purple beer.. Guess I just want to try to get as close to Pumphouse as possible

I e-mailed pumphouse about their blueberry ale... not sure if i hear back, but I will absolutely share if i do!

DandyMason · March 21, 2012, 09:14:54 PM

So I bought some raspberry and blueberry extract at scoop n save... no idea what kind of quality they are, we will see!

Do I just add the extract right before kegging? Also im thinking... 4-5 oz of raspberry and like 6 oz of blueberry... But really those are just guesses... Any suggestions?

Richard · March 21, 2012, 10:02:57 PM

No reason to ferment them out unless you're adding a shitload... flavour to taste