Now that we’re spending every available moment outdoors, reach for less assertive, more refreshing beer styles brewed with botanical ingredients like flowers and herbs.
Botanicals can be added to beer through a variety of methods before and after fermentation. Some brewers like to add botanicals toward the end of the boil during the brew, while others prefer to steep them like tea, post-fermentation in the bright tank. Botanicals can add color to beer (i.e. see beers brewed with hibiscus flowers) and accentuate the fruit, herb and grass notes of hop and yeast expression.
(Looking to fire up your taste buds instead? Click here to check out Herrera’s 4 chile beer picks.)
The local brewery scene has played with botanicals for years. You may be familiar with Perennial Artisan Ales flagship Saison de Lis (Belgian-style saison with chamomile flowers), 4 Hands Brewing Co.’s flagship Single Speed (American blonde ale with jasmine flowers) and 2nd Shift Brewing’s seasonal Hibiscus Wit (Belgian-style wit with hibiscus flowers). These are all beautiful, easy-drinking beers complete with thirst-quenching characteristics to rejuvenate your senses. Acquaint yourself with these local, botanical-driven favorites and then find these fun seasonal releases from some of my favorite breweries.
1. Boulevard Hibiscus Gose is a tart, zesty German-style wheat beer. Brewed with salt and coriander and then steeped on dried hibiscus flowers, this beer presents itself with bright acidity, mellow sweetness, and a crisp finish.
2. Jolly Pumpkin Baudelaire Beer iO Saison, brewed with a bouquet of rose hips, rose petals, and hibiscus, is the definition of delicate. Beautiful, soft floral notes are the highlight of this incredibly light, soft farmhouse ale.
3. Perennial Hopfentea pairs rose hips, hibiscus, and lemon grass with mango, papaya and orange peel for a satiating and tart German-style Berlinerweiss. Juicy tropical fruit is balanced by vibrant floral notes on the palate and is sure to make your taste buds dance.
4. New Belgium/Hof Ten Dormaal Collaboration Lips of Faith – Golden Ale is a light-bodied, yeast-forward and refreshing beer brewed with wild carrot herbs. A touch of banana on the nose accentuates the soft fruit notes and mild grassiness on the palate.
This article appears in May 2016.