Cherry Ale

Cherries are one of our early fruits, we could use them to make some yummy jam and pies............not!  Cherries were put on this earth to eat straight off the tree, whilst still on the ladder, or for wine and beer.  The fresh cherries we don't eat or use for wine are stoned, halved and plonked in ziplock bags in the freezer for when we need them, normally in portion of 300g or so.  They are brill in a mixed berry wine but better to allow you to make cherry ale all year.

Ingredients for a 14Ltr batch

300g of cherries stoned and halved, fresh or defrosted
1kg spray malt
750g sugar
30g hops (fuggles pellets)
Ale yeast (1 packet or 7g)

Instructions

Boil 6 litres of water in a big pot, you need some expansion room as the spray malt can be a tad aggressive.  That said, patience is the key here so take the pot off the heat to start with.  Stand bravely to one side while K attempts to drop the malt into the water a little at a time.  After the first few drops it gets calmer.  When all the malt is added and dissolved add the cherries while not splashing the cooker that K has just cleaned that morning, poor planning in my opinion but you try telling her.  Let the Malt and cherry mix simmer for 20 minutes then add the hops, give it a further ten then add the sugar, dissolve and remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes.  This is a good time to get the keg cleaned and sterilised with your Chemipro OXI and grab a glass of something cold.

 Position the sieve and muslin over the keg and carefully pour the liquid into the bin whilst avoiding K's hands and your feet and of course the floor that she mopped yesterday......poor planning in my opinion but you try telling her.  Don't squeeze the muslin, let it sit for a while, instead have a sip of beer and watch it drip till you get bored.  Feed the crap to the pigs, they love it.  Top up to 14 litres with cold water and when the water is cool enough to dip your finger in without soiling underwear, add the yeast.  Seal keg, fit bubbly thing and wait till fermentation has finished then proceed to bottling.