Elderberry WOW...

[AndyRVTR]

Hi all... is it possible to make an Elderberry WOW using dried berries?
The guy at my local homebrew shop has given me a kg bag of dried elderberries after I mentioned it was one of the wines I was hoping to attempt using the WOW method... has anyone ever tried it this way, and what were the results??
Cheers : :

 

[HLA91]

What was the damage (cost) for 1Kg of dried elderberries if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Moley]

To my mind the two simply don't go together.

It is quite possible to ferment out and clear a WOW and have it drinkable within a month, although I do like to let mine have some more time to mature.

Anything involving elderberries, whether fresh or dried, will need at least a year for the tannins to drop out.

 

[AndyRVTR]

Cheers Moley... I would be happy to keep it bottled for a year before drinking it, but in theory would it be possible to make it the same way as I make WOW?
HLA91... it was actually free, the guy I get my stuff from usually charges £2.95 for a kg, but he is just so helpful and now classes me as one of his 'regulars'...

 

[HLA91]

Bugger me, I had a search online for them out of curiosity and found them to be around £5-£7 for 500g.

 

[Moley]

I would be happy to keep it bottled for a year before drinking it, but in theory would it be possible to make it the same way as I make WOW?

Well yes, I don't see why not, maybe start with a base of red grape juice and either the orange or a cranberry juice drink and throw in perhaps 330g of the dried elderberries, or go for a 3 gallon batch.

I've never used dried elderberries, the fresh ones are free and are starting to ripen now, but as I understand it you use about one quarter of the fresh weight, so 3lbs fresh = 12oz dried.

Start it off in a lidded bucket, stir at least twice a day (sterilise the spoon once and then leave it in the bucket), then strain to DJs after about 5 days.

 

[AndyRVTR]

Thanks Moley... I think I'll use the WOW method and start with one DJ using some RGJ and OJ... with some of the berries thrown it... whats the worst that can happen.... :pray:
As I said i'm in no rush for it (the wife might be) so 1/2doz bottles ready for next year sounds ok to me :