Belgian Cranberry

[dean2k]

I'm planning on doing a cranberry saison/Belgian Ale this week with a simple grain bill: Pils, Wheat, Special B. I intend to keep the Special B somewhere around the 5% range, but would that be enough to smooth out the tartness of the cranberry? Otherwise perhaps a little bit of Honey Malt, say 2%-ish?

Thoughts?

[mr x]

I'm not sure special b would compliment cranberry...

[dean2k]

Hrmmm.... one way to find out I guess.

[mr x]

I made a pomegranate wheat beer, and it took a month to get the harsh edge off it. Looking back at that beer, I can't see that special b would help that beer at all. Not exactly cranberry though.......

[dean2k]

I think it lends itself well to Belgian styles for obvious reasons. A little bit of fruity sweetness and colour as long as I don't over do it. It's the sweetness to cranberry ratio that I need to nail down. I just want to make sure I don't end up with a craisins ale.

[dean2k]

Decided I'm going to play it safe. Save the Special B and/or the saison yeast for when I officially give in to NB Power and turn the heat on in the house for winter. So instead I'm going to a cranberry wheat recipe with S-05 instead.