I don’t know about you, but I’ve been jonesing for summer since…well, about the onset of winter last year. Although I’m always excited to dust off the snowboard every winter, the big draw of summer, at least for me, is the gardening. So, while The Mister is mowing the lawn and enjoying lawnmower beers, I am cultivating flowers and enjoying flower beers. It’s only fitting.
While your first reaction might be that the last thing you want to put in your mouth is a flower, its addition to beer can be quite tasty. Some flowers are subtle and add a nice, smooth quality to beer, while others pack a more powerful punch. And that’s not to mention the base beer to which they’re added, which can either empower the flower or complement it by balancing flavor characteristics (a strong IPA with a spicy, more robust flower, or an IPA with a sweet, more floral flower, to give an example).
I recommend starting with the base beer you like (sour, witbier, and so on), then searching out those that are brewed with flowers. You’ll already have a good baseline knowing you like the particular beer you’ve selected, and you’ll be able to pick out the flower flavors and aromas more easily.
Here are six flowers and some beers that feature them.
Chamomile
While most people think of a bedtime tea when they think of chamomile, it’s actually very delicious in beer (I’ve added it to several wheat beers myself!). It adds a subtle, floral characteristic that is unique but not overpowering.
• Witty Retort by Coelacanth Brewing (Norfolk, Virginia)
• Saison Du Swamp Brett by Swamp Head Brewery (Gainesville, Florida)
Lavender
Before I tried my first beer brewed with lavender, I worried it would taste like a facial mask, but it was quite the opposite! This is one flower that comes forth as a nice, floral complement to the beer, with just a hint of spice.
• Fleur de Ferme by The Commons Brewery (Portland, Oregon)
• Pale Red Rye With Pistachio and Lavender by Black Shirt Brewing Co. (Denver, Colorado)
• Lavender, Sunflower Honey, Dates (LSD) by Indeed Brewing Co. (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Jasmine
To get an idea of how jasmine tastes, go no farther than your local Asian restaurant—jasmine green tea is a staple, and you’ve likely already drunk it. It’s subtle, but adds a nice sweet note that blends effortlessly with many beers.
• Avatar Jasmine IPA by Elysian Brewing (Seattle, Washington)
• Jasmine Wheat by Hellbent Brewing Company (Seattle, Washington)
• Jasmine Sour by Borderlands Brewing Company (Tucson, Arizona)
Elderflower/Elderberry
The elderflower is sweet and herbal, and the elderberry is sweet and fruity. The two come from the same plant but are harvested at different times in the summer depending on the flavors desired.
• Bo & Luke by Against the Grain Brewery & Smokehouse (Louisville, Kentucky)
• Spontanelderflower by Mikkeller (Denmark)
• Elderberry by Cascade Brewing Company (Portland, Oregon)
Roses
Don’t worry—roses don’t make beer taste like your grandmother’s perfume! You might be surprised to learn that in addition to the soft floral flavors roses add, they also bring on a nice bit of spice and sourness.
• Hops N’ Roses by Captain Lawrence Brewing Company (Elmsford, New York)
• Puns and Roses by Moon Dog Craft Brewery (Abbotsford, Vic. Australia)
Dandelion
Many brewers will use dandelions instead of hops for bitterness, and it also lends a nice earthy flavor. While some brewers go big with the bitterness, others will go home and balance it with a sweeter beer.
• Brutus by Fonta Flora Brewery (Morganton, North Carolina)
• Dandelion Disco Ball by Dryhop Brewers (Chicago, Illinois)
Hibiscus
The huge, vibrant blooms from the hibiscus plant create a floral, fruity, sweet, berry-like flavor that complements a variety of beers. It’s just as delicious in a sour as it is in a wheat or a saison, I think because of the complexity of its flavors.
• Hibiscus Provincial by Funkwerks Brewery (Fort Collins, Colorado)
• Hibiscus Wit by 2nd Shift Brewing (New Haven, Missouri)
• Petite Sour (Hibiscus & Cinnamon) by Crooken Stave Artisan Beer Project
We’d love to hear about some of your favorite beers brewed with flowers!