A Beer From the Middle Ages Is Making a Serious Comeback
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Hop-forward beer is all the rage today, but in the middle ages many imbibers preferred brews that skewed towards the sweeter side. Now, centuries after it fell out of fashion, Atlas Obscura reports that gruit ale is making a comeback.
Gruit beer is any beer that features botanicals in place of hops. The ingredients that give the drink its distinctive sweet, aromatic taste can be as familiar as ginger and lavender or as exotic as mugwort and seabuckthorn. The herbs play the role of hops by both adding complex flavors and creating an inhospitable environment for harmful microbes.
It may be hard for modern beer lovers to imagine beer without hops, but prior to the 16th century gruit was as common in parts of Europe as IPAs are in hip American cities today. Then, in 1516, that style of beer suddenly vanished from pint glasses: That was the year Germany passed a beer purity law that restricted beer formulas to hops, water, and barley. Many of the key botanicals in gruit beer were considered aphrodisiacs at the time, and the rising Puritan movement helped push the brew further into obscurity.
Hops have dominated the beer scene ever since, and only in the past few decades have microbrewers started giving old gruit recipes the attention they're due. In 2017, the Scratch Brewing Company in Illinois released their seasonal Scratch Tonic, made from a combination of dandelion, carrot tops, clover, and ginger. The Põhjala Brewery in Estonia brews their Laugas beer using Estonian herbs, caraway, and juniper berries. Get in touch with your local microbrewery to see if they have their own version of the old-school beer in their line-up.
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Well, isn't this an interesting wrinkle in the beer world? LOL....might have to poke around and see if I can find some Gruit Ale........
On a side note, headed to Halifax in a couple weeks and have been promised a tour and tasting at the Alexander Keith's Brewery........if you've never had it, you might have problems finding it outside of Canada. I bring back a case from the Duty Free everytime I cross the border.
Dear Friend Spikegary: There is a store next town south from where I live.
Beers of the World.
If they don't have it, can special order.
We should make a pilgrimage there some time.
Enoch
That sounds like a plan!
Been there - done that....
Dear Friend Veronica: You, Spikegary and me at Beers of the World.
Something FEMA would label, "A Federal Disaster Area".
Let's do it!
E.
I am in, if Spikegary agrees to include me.
Dear Friend Veronica: I am sure he will.
For some years now Spikegary, other people we know from the news vine, the news talkers, Mrs. E. Spikegary's First Lady and I have all broken bread together.
We always have a grand glorious great time.
Calkins and West Henrietta Roads here we come.
Enoch
Of course, you are in! Regardless of people's stances on websites, they are all (me included) much nicer and politer in person! LOL.
Of course since we are going to Beers of the World my hubby will want to join. He loves his beer.
And that's well within range of my motorcycle.......well, what isn't?
I do not think you have ever been anything but polite to me. We may disagree, but I don't remember it ever getting ugly.
Mine brews his own and now he has his buddies doing it.
He has his Man Cave with a kitchen so that's where he does all his brewing. He's been doing a lot of IPAs lately, but I wonder if he would try a gruit?
Dear Friend Veronica: Of course your husband will be warmly welcomed.
We wouldn't have it any other way.
As recently as the last time we got together, Spikegary and I, along with our first ladies (we are not presidents, but we are blessed with first ladies) enjoy each other's company.
Its always more fun when everyone is present.
Don't forget the I.D.
When they card, I have one under the name, Albert Anonymous.
Works every time.
I also use one, Calvert Covert.
That is also accepted.
I will send a site private note to set up dates and times convenient to all.
Spikegary is correct.
People are always more warm and fuzzy in person, than on the net.
Never met a Viner or Talker I didn't like.
Looking forward to a great time.
I will be the one who looks vaguely like the photo on my Faux ID.
Enoch.
I try not to get ugly, but there are certain people that can press my buttons in just the right order.......but you aren't one of them.
The good news, if you note the Beer I used as the Avatar for this story.......it is mostly only available in Canada, I do pick up a case whenever I cross the border, but will be getting a privaste tour in Halifax next month, of the brewery.......I can't wait....
You guys should plan a trip up here.....we have some of the finest lodging facilities in the entire Air Force (2 virtually new multi story buildings) at the low, low NAF prices! And tell Mr. Giggles to bring some samples.......
Those darn Germans always spoiling things.
Even in 1516 they were exerting their influence on beer.....
Supposedly the recipe for beer that George Washington used to brew has been found and will be available soon.
"It's awesome beer and I cannot Lie"' --George Washington
LOL.....be interesting to see how that recipe translates a couple centuries on.....
I can't wait to taste it. I am not a beer person normally, but this is worth checking out.
Not far from my home is a local beer make called Brewer's Alley that makes a beer called 1634. It is a take on how beer was originally brewed in the state of Maryland by the original colonies.
Has a good robust flavor that gives a hint of the flavor of a freshly baked hearty bread. Although a bit lighter than Spaten Optimator, it is similar in having that bread like sense about it.
Would love to try this... I am always looking for a new beer to try out.
Btw.. really interesting history lesson. Who knew?