Mown grass beer?
March 30, 2018 11:41 AM Subscribe
I had a farmer's ale that tasted like a freshly mown lawn. Can a home brewer recreate this? If so, how?
Yes! Though it's usually regarded as an off-flavor to be avoided. So, uh, do the opposite of the things suggested there.
posted by asperity at 11:59 AM on March 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by asperity at 11:59 AM on March 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
If you're working from kits or recipes, try shooting for a saison style (Belgian farmhouse) beer using lots of fresh "wet" hops (or "leaf" hops, instead of pellets) of a low-alpha variety (I like Mosaic or Mt. Hood for this) in the last quarter of the boil, and a generous dry hop addition after primary fermentation, will probably do the trick. If you let it ferment a little warm (65F -ish) you'll also get lots of fruity notes that may complement the flavor.
Good luck!
posted by Lafe at 12:38 PM on March 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
Good luck!
posted by Lafe at 12:38 PM on March 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
Peak's appropriately named "Fresh Cut" also brings to mind freshly cut grass to me -- and I kinda like it. According to the Peak Brewing site "Fresh Cut is a dry-hopped pilsner. Chinook, Citra and Centennial hops provide aromas of citrus, grass and spice." I wonder if one of those specific hops is what either adds to that smell or the aroma?The description of the Chinook hops on this site seems closest to that smell.
posted by This_Will_Be_Good at 12:47 PM on March 30, 2018
posted by This_Will_Be_Good at 12:47 PM on March 30, 2018
When you say "farmer's ale" do you mean, something a guy was selling at the farmer's market? Or was it a beer whose style was noted as "farmhouse ale" or the like?
If the former, ask the guy.
If the latter, look for "saison" style beers. They tend to taste more "wild" and often have grass notes.
posted by notsnot at 1:18 PM on March 30, 2018
If the former, ask the guy.
If the latter, look for "saison" style beers. They tend to taste more "wild" and often have grass notes.
posted by notsnot at 1:18 PM on March 30, 2018
Fresh grass scent is Cis 3 Hexenal, so you might look for complimentary ingredients that have a lot of it. You can get purified versions but as far as I know not at a cost that makes sense for home brewers.
posted by Candleman at 1:23 PM on March 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Candleman at 1:23 PM on March 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
Bale Breaker Brewing co, from Yakima Wa. does this pretty well. Top Cutter and Fresh off the Farm both have grassy notes that I enjoy.
posted by OHenryPacey at 10:04 AM on April 1, 2018
posted by OHenryPacey at 10:04 AM on April 1, 2018
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posted by Annika Cicada at 11:49 AM on March 30, 2018