Flower Power
They say that April showers bring May flowers, and such is the case for craft beer too. The most predominant flower in beer could be any one of a variety of hops, which act as a preservative and give beer its bitter taste. However, craft brewers have been infusing other flowers as well, and the results are refreshingly tasty.
While we may associate flowers with table decorations, funeral wreaths and gardening, edible flowers are a great addition to a summer salad, and flower essences provide the forefront for perfumes and colognes. For centuries to present time, certain flowers have also been used for their natural healing properties (e.g. chamomile, calendula, arnica, etc.).
In brewing, flowers provide beer with a unique dimension that only a flower can. Some flower beers are subtle and others are not – but either way they’re worth examining and sampling. Here are just a few of my favorite flower beers:
Elysian Avatar IPA (WA): my very favorite flower beer, Avatar uses dried jasmine flowers into the boil and hopback. Make no mistake; this is an IPA with a twist. The lovely jasmine flavor is apparent right away, and for this reason I truly enjoy this flower beer.
Fraoch Heather Ale, Williams Brothers Brewing Co. (Scotland): Made from a Gaelic recipe that’s been around since 2000 B.C., this style of ale is only made by Williams Brothers and was my favorite before I discovered Avatar. I still love it today and it’s widely available, you just have to look for it. Besides heather flowers, it’s also made with ginger to give a hint of spice and bogmyrtle, a flowering plant native to Scotland and other countries.
MoM Hefeweizen, Rogue (OR): MoM Hefeweizen is a wheat beer infused with Oregon roses. I love roses and rose water, so I was curious about this one and bought it. The rose flavor is extremely light to almost non-existent if your taste buds aren’t paying attention. It’s definitely worth another try!
Orange Blossom Cream Ale, Buffalo Bill’s Brewery (CA): I first tried this several years ago at the Empire Brewfest when it was in Clinton Square in the summer time. It was my first sampling on a hot July day, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Made with orange flower, orange peel and honey, this beer was not too sweet and very refreshing for the summertime.
Rosée D’Hibiscus, Dieu Du Ciel (QC, Canada): A bright pink wheat beer naturally tinted from hibiscus flowers added during brewing, this beer from Montreal is a delight. The hibiscus flower is apparent not only in color but also in flavor. Not sweet, this wheat beer is perfect for a hot day. If you have to cross the border to try it, I highly suggest you do so!
So there you have it, my top five flower beers – I know there are so many more to explore and now is a good time as any. Instead of dunking a lime in your beer this spring and summer, why not pick some flowers in a different way? Experience the world of flower beers and you just might be surprised. Maybe you’ll like some, maybe you’ll love some or hate some, but you can’t say you didn’t try! Experiment, explore, and enjoy these beers during this time – everything’s coming up roses! Cheers!
