National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Grains/Sugars/Adjuncts Board => Topic started by: jceg316 on March 12, 2016, 01:10:43 PM

Title: Heather in beer
Post by: jceg316 on March 12, 2016, 01:10:43 PM
I went for a walk today and noticed the fields next to me have a lot of wild heather. I'd like to use this in a recipe but so I need to dry out the heather tips or process them in any way before I use them?

Thanks
Title: Re: Heather in beer
Post by: LordEoin on March 12, 2016, 02:59:20 PM
I think you just add them to the boil, so if you're using them soon I don't think there's any need to dry them
Title: Re: Heather in beer
Post by: Drum on March 12, 2016, 03:00:08 PM
Theres a good thread on heather ale here http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/index.php/topic,10627.0.html (http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/index.php/topic,10627.0.html)  You might get some ideas from it.
Title: Re: Heather in beer
Post by: beerfly on March 12, 2016, 08:12:06 PM
If you add it after the boil expect a wild/spontaneous ferment
Title: Re: Heather in beer
Post by: Bubbles on March 13, 2016, 01:10:00 PM

Quote from: beerfly on March 12, 2016, 08:12:06 PM
If you add it after the boil expect a wild/spontaneous ferment

+1

I've seen the fellas who make Fraoch on tv. They use dry heather to start the beer fermentation. It must be absolutely covered with wild yeast.
Title: Re: Heather in beer
Post by: jceg316 on March 13, 2016, 01:33:36 PM
Quote from: Drum on March 12, 2016, 03:00:08 PM
Theres a good thread on heather ale here http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/index.php/topic,10627.0.html (http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/index.php/topic,10627.0.html)  You might get some ideas from it.

Thanks for the link, this is very helpful.

And wild fermentation from heather is definitely now on my brew list!