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Adding fruit to a lambic


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#1 matt6150

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Posted 19 January 2017 - 08:15 AM

Me and a few other people have a barrel going in someone's basement. About a month ago we drained a lambic out of it that had been in there a year. I kegged my portion, 2 5gal kegs. I carbed one and the other I just filled the headspace with co2 and it's been sitting at around 32 degrees. So I want to add some fruit to that one. Is it too late? Should I pull it out and let it warm up to room temp and throw in some fruit? Think it would ferment the fruit at all at this point? What do you guys think?

#2 HVB

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Posted 19 January 2017 - 08:32 AM

I think you will get some more fermentation from the bugs that are in the beer.  I do not think that is a bad thing though.  If I was to add fruit I would warm it up to room temp.  What fruit are you planning to add and how much. Depending on the fruit you may need 1-2#/g to get the fruit to come through in the final beer.



#3 matt6150

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Posted 19 January 2017 - 10:49 AM

I think you will get some more fermentation from the bugs that are in the beer.  I do not think that is a bad thing though.  If I was to add fruit I would warm it up to room temp.  What fruit are you planning to add and how much. Depending on the fruit you may need 1-2#/g to get the fruit to come through in the final beer.

No me either. Just didn't know if there would be anything left in there to ferment it. I was planning on adding a blend of fruit. Got some frozen stuff called cherry berry, has cherry, blackberry and blueberry I believe. The keg has somewhere just over 4gals and was going to add 5lbs. Or at least as much as will fit.



#4 shaggaroo

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Posted 19 January 2017 - 10:54 AM

I had made a kriek bier several years ago and added sour cherries, pits and all, that I had frozen. Let it sit at room temp for a few more months. You will get fermentation. But worth it.

#5 HVB

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Posted 19 January 2017 - 10:54 AM

Your plan sounds solid to me.  Just vent the keg every now and then.



#6 matt6150

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Posted 19 January 2017 - 01:13 PM

OK awesome. Will get to it this weekend. I have no issue letting it sit for a few months.

#7 matt6150

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Posted 21 January 2017 - 01:49 PM

Fruit is in and warming up in the house. Unfortunately could only fit in 3lbs. Oh well see how it turns out in a few months.

#8 matt6150

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Posted 13 November 2017 - 08:12 AM

I hooked up a picnic tap to this yesterday. Was a little foamy, had to bleed off some pressure. But otherwise it is fantastic! It is nicely carbed and the fruit came through very well. Gravity is at 1.010. I put it in my crash cool fridge. I debated on racking it to a different keg to get the fruit out but not sure I need to. Fruit is floating, we will see if it stays there after cooling.

#9 shaggaroo

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Posted 13 November 2017 - 08:43 AM

I did rack off of the cherries in mine and I guess I would advise you to do the same. YMMV



#10 HVB

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Posted 13 November 2017 - 08:45 AM

I did rack off of the cherries in mine and I guess I would advise you to do the same. YMMV

I planned to say the same thing!



#11 matt6150

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Posted 13 November 2017 - 10:14 AM

Ok, I suppose I could rack it to another keg.

#12 SchwanzBrewer

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Posted 13 November 2017 - 09:00 PM

Do it. 



#13 matt6150

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Posted 31 December 2017 - 06:42 PM

I did end up racking this beer to another keg. It is fantastic! Very clear.
IMG_20171231_201038.jpg

#14 shaggaroo

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Posted 01 January 2018 - 08:53 AM

looks great!




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