Here is the recipe I used for the amazing Strawberry Blonde we had this summer. If you are really paying attention you’ll notice its the same as the American Wheat Ale recipe, except the yeast has been changed to WLP051 (my local shop was out of WLP001). I actually made this as a 12-gallon batch and split it between two fermentors and pitched two viles of yeast. This yeast was a first for me and I really liked the clean/crispness of it.
I would like to make a traditional California Common beer with it and compare to WLP001.
Anticipated OG 1.060
Batch size 5.5 gallons
6lbs German Pilsner malt
4.5lbs American Wheat Malt
1.5lbs Munich Malt
0.75oz Tettnanger hop pellets (60min)
0.25oz Cascade hop pellets (20 min)
Fermented with WLP051 (California common V)
After primary, I racked the beer onto 4lbs of sliced strawberries that had been steeped in water that was at near boil temp (heat off during steep). Let sit in secondary with berries for 7 days, then rack to a third fermentor for 7 days. This was to let any loose seeds settle out from the berries. Then bottle or rack to keg. Serve to the ladies and they’ll be sure to ask for MORE!
Extract version:
Derek
What mashing temps did you use? I’m looking for a good recipe to do for my first all-grain batch.
Mike
Derek, good question, sorry I missed that detail in the original post.
I went with a 150F mash temp. A little lower than my normal 154F. I went lower to dry out the beer a bit more, making a crisper finish to go with the fruit flavor.
Hope that helps!
jennifer
please email this to me! thanks!
John
Hi Jennifer
Not sure what you want emailed to you, but the recipe is in this post.
Garrett
After you sliced the strawberries, how long did you steep them in the near-boiling water before you put them into the secondary? And I saw you used pilsner malt, so did you change the fermentation temperature at all? Or did you just let it sit at 65-75 degrees F? Thanks!
Mike
Hey Garrett
I let them sit for 10 minutes or so. Not long, just enough to soften them up and quasi-pasteurize them. And I normally ferment most ales at 65-68F in general. Pilsner malt is just a light base malt and can be used in ale brewing as well as lager brewing…. if that’s what you’re getting at. If not ask us another question and I’ll help clarify.
Brian
I’ve had a brew like this before and it was great. Thanks for sharing the recipe, how long do you mash this at 150? I’m thinking this would be nice in this Summer.
John
Hi Brian,
Mash would be 60 minutes long.
Cheers!
brian s
how many lbs of strawberries?
John
4 pounds
brian s
Sorry didnt see that earlier. i’m brewing this one now but i have a question. does this one turn out straw color like a light beer or more of a reddish color like fruli? sounds delsh either way so im excited!
John
Hi Brian,
Yeah from what I remember it did have a reddish tint to it.
chad
how long did you do in the primary?
John
Hi Chad,
Two weeks in the primary.
Steam
4lbs per secondary (I saw you made 12 gal) or 4lb total divided into two secondaries?
Mike
@ Steam
That’s 4 pounds per fermentor. So 6 to 5 gallons per 4 lbs of berries.
BREW ON!
curlyk
Hi,
What are the alpha acid levels for those hops?
John
Tettnang was 4.0% Cascade was 7.0%
Justin
I tried your strawberry technique! I documented it with photos at https://imgur.com/a/EYkk2 … let me know what you think!
John
Hi Justin – The process and the beer looks great!
Mike
How long did you steep the berries? I assume this was to kill anything attached, if not, did you pitch the steeped water along with the berries into your secondary?