Cherry Beer Recipe

As the weather gets warmer and the cherries ripen on the trees, home brewers’ thoughts turn to crafting refreshing fruit beers for the summer months ahead. And one of the most popular flavors is the sweet tang of cherries. Adding this bright red fruit can transform an ordinary beer into something extraordinary. In this article, we’ll explore the wonderful world of cherry beers. From kettle sours to Belgian dubbels and everything in between, we’ll discuss techniques for getting the perfect balance of malt, hops, and tart cherry flavor. Whether you’re an experienced brewer looking to expand your repertoire or just discovering the joys of homebrewing, read on for inspiration and tips on brewing your own cherry masterpiece.

Quick Summary

When crafting a cherry beer, the key is to balance the fruit and malt flavors. Most recipes call for anywhere from 3-8 lbs of cherries per 5-gallon batch, added during secondary fermentation. Sour or tart cherry varieties like Montmorency work best. Consider using cherry juice or puree for easier fermentation and straining. Like pilsners or wheat beers, a light malt bill is ideal to let the cherry flavor shine. Hops should be minimal, with only small bittering additions. Let it condition for 1-2 weeks after adding cherries for full flavor. You’ll have a deliciously fruity cherry beer perfect for summer sipping with the right recipe!

Recipe 1: Sour Cherry Beer

Sour cherries give this summer beer a tangy, fruity twist. Follow these simple steps for brewing your own refreshing cherry ale.

Ingredients:

• 5 lbs Montmorency cherries
• One can of cherry juice concentrate (12 oz)
• 3.3 lbs light malt extract
• 1 oz Cascade hops
• Wyeast Belgian Witbier yeast

Brewing Instructions:

• Sanitize all equipment thoroughly. Be extra diligent when working with fruit to prevent infection.
• Crush cherries and add them to the secondary fermenter. Pour in cherry juice concentrate.
• Boil 2.5 gallons of water and steep crushed specialty grains for 20 minutes. Remove grains and add malt extract. Boil for 60 minutes, adding hops per package instructions.
• Cool wort quickly and transfer it to the primary fermenter. Pitch yeast according to package directions.
• Transfer beer onto cherries once primary fermentation slows after 4-5 days. Allow to steep for 7-10 days.

Tips:

• Use pitted, frozen cherries if fresh are unavailable. Thaw first before crushing.
• Consider adding pectic enzymes when adding fruit to aid fermentation.
• Taste after one week on cherries, adding more if desired.
• For clarity, fine with gelatin or cold crash before bottling.

Follow these steps, and you’ll have a delicious sour cherry beer just in time for summer!

Recipe 2: Cherry Dubbel

This Belgian abbey-style dubbel gets added fruit complexity from sweet cherries. Brew up this malty, fruity beer with the following recipe.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs pitted dark sweet cherries
• 6.6 lbs Belgian dubbel malt extract
• 1 lb Munich malt (crushed)
• 1 oz Tettnang hops (60 min)
• 0.5 oz Hallertau (15 min)
• Wyeast Trappist yeast

Brewing Instructions:

• Steep crushed grains in 2.5 gallons of water at 155°F for 30 minutes. Rinse grains and collect wort.
• Boil wort for 60 minutes, adding hops at times listed. Add malt extract.
• Chill wort to under 70°F and transfer to a sanitized fermenter. Aerate well.
• Pitch yeast and allow primary fermentation for one week.
• Rack to secondary fermenter onto pitted, crushed cherries. Allow to sit for 7-10 days.

Tips:

• Use Montmorency or Balaton tart cherry varieties for the best flavor.
• Consider adding spices like cinnamon, allspice, or vanilla.
• Bottle condition for 1-2 weeks before drinking. Age for 1-2 months for best results.
• For clarity, add finings before bottling or kegging.

With the sweetness of cherries and a dubbel’s rich maltiness, this beer will impress any Belgian ale fan. Enjoy this fruity brew!

Recipe 3: Rogerfest Cherry Wood Lager

Brew a crisp, refreshing lager with a hint of cherry wood smoke flavor.

Ingredients:

• 6.6 lbs Munich lager malt extract
• 1 lb Cherry wood chips, soaked overnight
• 1 oz Tettnang hops (60 min)
• 0.5 oz Saaz hops (15 min)
• White Labs Oktoberfest Lager yeast

Brewing Instructions:

• Soak cherry wood chips in water overnight to sanitize them and prepare them for smoking.
• Drain chips well and cold smoke malt extract for 1-2 hours in a smoker or covered grill.
• Steep smoked malt in 2.5 gallons of water at 155°F for 20 minutes. Rinse grains and collect wort.
• Boil wort for 60 minutes, adding hops at times listed.
• Cool wort and transfer it to a sanitized fermenter. Pitch yeast.
• Lager at 50-55°F for four weeks.

Tips:

• Use mild cherry wood for a subtle smoky essence. Hickory or mesquite would overwhelm.
• Consider adding lager yeast a few days before brew day to build up the starter.
• Fine with gelatin and cold crash before packaging for clarity.
• Kegging or bottling in amber bottles helps preserve delicate smoke flavor.

Smoky and sweet, this Rogerfest lager is sure to be a backyard BBQ hit. Enjoy this beer with a slight cherry kiss.

Recipe 4: Belgian Tart Cherry Ale

This fruity Belgian-style ale gets a tart kick from the addition of sour cherries. Brew up this summer refresher with the following recipe.

Ingredients:

• 5 lbs frozen tart cherries
• 3.3 lbs wheat malt extract
• 1 lb CaraPils malt (crushed)
• 1 oz Styrian Goldings hops
• Wyeast Belgian Witbier yeast

Brewing Instructions:

• Steep crushed grains in 2.5 gallons of water at 155°F for 20 minutes. Rinse and collect wort.
• Boil wort for 60 minutes, adding hops as desired for bitterness. Add malt extract.
• Cool wort quickly and transfer to a sanitized fermenter.
• Pitch yeast and allow it to ferment for one week.
• Rack to secondary onto thawed, crushed cherries. Allow to sit for seven days.

Tips:

• Use tart cherry varieties like Montmorency or Balaton.
• Consider adding spices like coriander, orange peel, or ginger.
• Bottle condition for 10-14 days before drinking.
• For clarity, use finings before bottling or kegging.

Tart and tangy, with a touch of Belgian funk, this ale is perfect for sipping on the patio during the dog days of summer. Enjoy!

Recipe 5: Cherry Saison

This fruity twist on a classic saison gets added cherry aroma and flavor from the late addition of tart cherries.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs frozen sour cherries
• 6.6 lbs light saison malt extract
• 1 lb wheat malt (crushed)
• 1 oz Saaz hops (60 min)
• 0.5 oz Tettnang (15 min)
• White Labs Belgian Saison yeast

Brewing Instructions:

• Steep crushed wheat malt in 2.5 gallons of water at 155°F for 20 minutes. Rinse grains and collect wort.
• Boil wort for 60 minutes, adding the first hop addition at the start of the boil. Add a second 15 minutes before the end.
• Remove from heat and add malt extract. Chill wort quickly.
• Transfer wort to the sanitized fermenter and pitch yeast. Allow to ferment for one week.
• Rack beer onto thawed cherries in a secondary fermenter for 1-2 weeks.

Tips:

• Use tart cherry varieties like Montmorency or Balaton.
• Consider dry hopping for added fruit aroma.
• Bottle condition for 10-14 days before drinking.
• For clarity, it is fine with gelatin or cold crash.

Crisp and dry, with a tart cherry kiss, this season is perfect for summer sipping. Enjoy!

Recipe 6: Cherry Chocolate Nitro Porter

Indulge in this decadent porter infused with rich chocolate and tangy cherry flavors.

Ingredients:

• 4 lbs frozen dark cherries
• 6.6 lbs dark malt extract
• 1 lb chocolate malt (crushed)
• 1 lb roasted barley (crushed)
• 1 oz Cascade hops
• English Ale Yeast

Brewing Instructions:

• Steep crushed grains in 2.5 gallons of water at 155°F for 30 minutes. Rinse and collect wort.
• Boil wort for 60 minutes, adding Cascade hops. Add malt extract.
• Cool wort quickly and transfer to a sanitized fermenter. Pitch yeast.
• At high krausen, add cacao nibs (optional). Allow to ferment for one week.
• Rack beer onto thawed cherries and age 7-10 days.
• Force carbonate or use nitro for a creamy mouthfeel.

Tips:

• Use a dark, sweet cherry variety like Bing or Lambert.
• Add cacao nibs or chocolate extract to taste.
• Fine with gelatin or cold crash for clarity.
• For nitro pour, use 75% nitrogen/25% CO2 gas blend.

Rich, roasty, and smooth with a kiss of cherry, this indulgent porter is decadence in a glass!

FAQ

How can I enhance the cherry aroma in my brew?

First, make sure to use fresh, high-quality cherries. Cherry aroma compounds dissipate quickly after picking. Quickly chilling, crushing, and adding the cherries to beer preserves more volatiles. Consider making a tincture by soaking cherries in vodka for a few weeks before brewing. This “cherry vodka” can be added to the secondary for a boost of aromatics. Just a touch of lactic acid or citric acid sprinkled into the beer also helps accentuate fruity cherry notes. Finally, be gentle when racking and bottling to avoid driving off delicate aromas.

What sanitation practices are most important when brewing with cherries?

Proper fruit sanitation prevents mold, bacteria, and wild yeasts from ruining a cherry beer. Cherries should be washed thoroughly right before brewing. Then, soak them in vodka or potassium metabisulfite solution for 10-15 minutes. Vodka has the added benefit of preserving aromatics. Juicing or pureeing also helps pasteurize the fruit. Sanitize any fruit presses, mesh bags, or tools touching the cherries. Monitor carboys after fruit addition – adding cherries raises infection risk. And ferment fully before bottling to avoid refermentation. With good sanitation, the cherries’ sugars and acids should contribute just the right flavors.

Related Video: Larry’s Berries: Cherry Saison (Recipe & Live Stream Brew Day Followup)

Conclusion

Whether you prefer a tart cherry kettle sour or a malty Belgian-style cherry dubbel, crafting a homemade cherry beer is a rewarding and delicious endeavor for any homebrewer. With simple guidelines like choosing the suitable cherry variety, nailing the fruit-to-malt balance, and allowing enough conditioning time, you can brew up the perfect pint filled with bright, sweet cherry goodness. So, as summer returns and cherry season rolls around again, try one of these winning cherry beer recipes. Your tastebuds will thank you, and you may find you have a refreshing new favorite brew to look forward to each year when the cherries are ripe for picking once more. Cheers!