Damson Porter? Or Stout?

[The Fat Jedi]

Hello all! I have a big Damson tree in my back garden. I usually make damson gin, chutney, jam etc. This year I thought I'd make some damson porter or stout maybe. Only problem is, I've never made anything like that before. Is it just a case of adding the fruit to the secondary fermenter? Or to the boil with the hops? If so, how many lbs should I use? How long should the damsons stay in the beer? How do I sterilise them?!

I usually use a use a Hereford pin cask as a secondary fermenter/serving cask. I guess I can't leave the damsons in that until dispense? (usually 4-6 weeks before drinking)

Any and all suggestions would be gratefully received.

Cheers all,

D.

[dave-o]

Have you tried/do you like Poacher's Choice from Badger? That's made with damsons and is quite a dark, strong ale, so could perhaps be considered a porter.

Having tried plums in an ale, i'd say pectic enzyme is very important here. All types of plums have loads of pectin in them.

[The Fat Jedi]

Thanks for the reply, no I've not tried that but I'll see if I can find some! Any ideas as to how much fruit I should add or how I should sanitize the fruit prior to chucking it in the beer, or how long I leave them in there for? I'm picking the damsons this weekend so that means I'm going to have to freeze them.......any idea if that might cause me problems later on?

Cheers,

D

[deanrpwaacs]

Mmmmmm now you have got me thinking.
I have done gin,jam,crumble,and mead and stll have loads left.
I found this thread.
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=35570
It might help you and me.
Regards Dean.

[The Fat Jedi]

Picked the damson's over the weekend.....well over 120lbs!

Madness.

What on earth am I going to do with all those?! Most are in various freezers and the missus has already made damson Jam and damson chutney.

Ah well, off to Costco to buy 20l of cheap gin then I suppose.

I was thinking I might put the gin soaked damsons into a beer.....at least I'd know they'd be free from any nasties. God know what % the beer would end up at though with all that residual sugar.

Anty other suggestions always welcome!

Beerio,

D.

[dave-o]

You can make "cider" out of them.

[EoinMag]

Make a Damson wine, plums make a fantastic wine, damsons would have to be pretty good too.

[The Fat Jedi]

Great idea! 5 gallons of damson wine started tonite!

Thats 20lbs down....just got to figure out with the other 100lbs!

Beerio

D.

[The Fat Jedi]

Dave-o, I made a great damson cider last year! Took the gin soaked damsons and put them into the cider for 2 weeks.

Fantastic!!!!

D