re: Homebrewing: making a strawberry ale

I've had the best results using a mixture of real fruit puree and extract. I use 5lbs vintners harvest puree for 5 gallons and then add extract to taste when I keg. I normally end up using less than 1/2 the recommended amount extract.

I find the puree gives the beer a more 'real' fruit flavor and the extracts will give it a nicer aromatic that people are expecting.

When I've used just extract the beer tastes fake and when I've used just fruit I don't get the aroma I'm looking for.