Red Grapefruit-ade

[Chris]

I'm going to give red grapefruit a go in the old -ade format.

I'll use my basic citrus recipe and see how it goes.

Anyone else tried this one before?

[chris.]

I like Red Grapefruit.

[rwh]

OK, so far we know you like blackberries and red grapefruit. Truly illuminating.

[chris.]

OK, so far we know you like blackberries and red grapefruit. Truly illuminating.

Bright lights make chris. go -

[Chris]

Seriously, anyone tried this, or will I be pioneering?

[gregb]

Looks like you're the vanguard.

Cheers,
Greg

[Chris]

Ok. I'll post the notes as soon as I'm done. Onward!

[Oliver]

Such an inspired idea is almost on par with the genius of the Millennium Ale Project. Well, almost

I look forward to hearing what it's like.

Oliver

[111222333]

I have made a lemonade with 50:50 lemons to grapefruit. BIGGEST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE. Good luck, i *think* that the only problem was too much lemon and grapefruit, and maybe the dryness (it was hardly even wet its so was dry). great BBQ cleaner though.

[Chris]

111222333! Haven't seen you for a while.

I put the grapefruit down on Saturday.

3.6kg red grapefruit (flesh and zest) - that took a BLOODY long time!
2kg raw sugar
safale yeast

After the boil (well, pasteurisation) It took off in less than 6 hours. I gave the must a taste, and thought that it was lacking a bit in flavour, so I intend to add some more juiced grapefruit towards the end of primary.

I used the ale yeast, as my last lemonade was a bit too dry (2 odd kilos of lactose was a bit much to rectify it).

If I can't get enough out of the yeast, I will then pitch a lalvin.

Will let you know as it progresses.

[111222333]

Been off learning some of the finer points to brewing and chemistry ... not really, just the consumption of good ol' ethyl alcohol. Defenatly agree about the lalvin, extremely dry yeast, almost too dry. Though last time of mixing in a can of cider, or just a good amount of apple juice to replace the water. Let us know how it goes, elderly neighboure has a Grapefruit tree that he lets go to waste each season, coz he cant pick em. Im sure he'd rather them go to a good cause

[Chris]

5 days in primary today. Will see how it's going in 2 more days. May rack then, but have found that fruit-only things seem better after 14-21 days.

[Chris]

Quick update:

gravity down to 998.

It's come out yellow in colour. I'm a bit surprised, as I expected a pink tinge.

Anyway, there was a reasonable grapefruit flavour, but I wanted it a bit stronger, so I've juiced 4 more red grapefruit and added.

Probably 7 more days of primary.

[corks]

i've been meaning to do this for a while, so im glad you've tried it. hope it works man, it would be bloody good.

[Chris]

Racked this one this afternoon.

Gravity down to 1000 again post-grapefruit juice addition.

More flavour, but needs some sweetness. Planning on adding lactose at priming.

It's a weird gold colour.

[Chris]

Added 750g of lactose and kegged.

Will let you know in a week or so. It tastes fantastic uncarbonated, so hope it will be better fizzy.

[Chris]

Finally ready!

It worked out well. It is gold in colour, with a slight red tinge. The lactose amount is perfect, so that is dry and refreshing, but still has enough sweetness to make it nice and easy to drink.

I highly recommend giving it a go.

[Kevnlis]

Was given two large bags of grapefruit today. Decided to have a search and alas, someone has actually done it before!

I plan to keg and back sweeten, also will use champers yeast. Might add a bit of Nelson Sauvin hops just to make it interesting.

Any suggestions for my recipe Chris?

[Chris]

Not really anything more than what is in my posts. I was very happy with the final result.

If you are going to back sweeten, I suggest using honey- I recon that'd be a winner. Citrus and honey is a great combination.