are these elderberries?

[graysalchemy]

I aged mine for about a month or so in bulk under airlock and then in bottles.

For those trying to find GA's Elderflower Port recipe (as I just did).

Its here:
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=317&p=5753&hilit=elderberry+port#p5753

[graysalchemy]

As long as it has a hefty abv and kept cool it should be fine but keep an eye on it fruit flies are about this time of year. Your don't want beersamic vinegar.

F00b4r has been mentioning elderberries to me regularly recently, having read this thread I now must pay attention to him and double check the elderberries at the allotment to see if they are ready as we are brewing this one! It sounds lovely.

I have a Crusader keg all ready to be put aside for the two years I am in Berlin
Luckily Demig is a corny man so it should stay safe from any late night tipsy temptations to sample early

Thanks for that MPLMPL - I reckon I'll do the same and split it with/without elderberries.

Actually, what about blackberries or black currents? - that could work?

[graysalchemy]

Damsons would be my other choice though perhaps in a porter

[graysalchemy]

Damsons look like little bright purple plumbs.

[graysalchemy]

I have my secret place for them.

Today was quite fruitful - found another source of elderberries and an apple tree, plus more blackberries than we can realistically use. Thinking of making some jam - they should all mix quite nicely.

any idea what this is? - found loads growing locally

[graysalchemy]

Not a mind reader a photo may help

balls - it's an acorn (duh!)

on the upside, we (step-daughter and I) collected around 500g blackberries, 400g elderberries and 200g crab apples. I'm just going to make a jam with the lot. There's loads more elderberries I've found today, so I've got three different spots I can source them plus loads of crab apples (scrumpy coming soon).

[graysalchemy]

If you are making cider it's best to use an equal mix of eaters cookers and crabs that will give a nice balance of acid, tannin and sugars.

So a bit of a thread revival but can anyone confirm for CERTAIN that these are elderberries as I do not want to be picking something similar but poisonous?
There were not many left but I might be able to grab enough tomorrow to make graysalchemy’s stout before they are all gone (there is also another place that is apparently worth trying that may have more).

Not an expert but NO, nothing like the elderberries in my garden

That last pic has a stem with leaves on alternate sides. Elderberry has leaves in pairs on opposite sides

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiti ... ees/elder/

Maybe laurel?

Good point! I think I might try this other place tomorrow and post some pictures from there.

Yea they look too big. Elderberries are close to the size of juniper berries.