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<p>I’m a pretty conventional beer drinker – usually I buy whatever’s on special and what is relatively light. But sometimes I like to mix it up and try heavier wheat ales with combinations of sweet flavors, such as raspberries, oranges and lemons.</p>
<p>Herbal combinations can add an interesting flavor-kick to traditional homebrews. Not only will you get added scents and flavors, but also <a href=”http://www.herbalbeers.com/” target=”_blank”>
<font color=”#800080″>medicinal benefits</font>
</a>. For instance, lavender gives an aromatic and relaxing lift to any pint, and rosemary’s sweet flavoring can help sooth your stomach.</p>
<p>
<a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/health-and-wellness/herb-basics-hops-a-calming-herb-for-beer-and-tea.aspx”>
<font color=”#800080″>Hops</font>
</a> are already an herbal staple for any beer recipe, but what about trying a beer brewed with <a href=”http://www.peakbrewing.com/brews/pomegranatewheatale/” target=”_blank”>
<font color=”#800080″>coriander</font>
</a>, <a href=”http://freestatebrewing.com/beer” target=”_blank”>
<font color=”#800080″>oats</font>
</a>, <a href=”http://www.wolavers.com/wolavers/beers/brown_ale.html” target=”_blank”>
<font color=”#800080″>black currant</font>
</a> or <a href=”http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/year-round-brews/indian-brown-ale.htm” target=”_blank”>
<font color=”#800080″>coffee</font>
</a>? In fact, <a href=”http://www.brainardbrewing.com/blog/?p=60#more-60″ target=”_blank”>
<font color=”#800080″>hops</font>
</a> have only been the brewing herb of choice for the last 500 of beer’s more than 4,000-year history.</p>
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<br />
Photo by onkel wart/Courtesy Flickr<br />
<a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/onkel_wart/” target=”_blank”>http://www.flickr.com/photos/onkel_wart/</a>
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<p>If you’re daring enough, and have more chemistry skills than me, you can even brew your own herbal beer. Use this recipe as a starting off point and make your own unique blend.</p>
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<br />
Photo by Justin C Lenk/Courtesy Flickr<br />
<a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockymountainman/” target=”_blank”>http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockymountainman/</a>
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<p>
<strong>Herbal Beer Recipe:</strong>
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<p>
<a href=”http://www.mansgarden.com/brewing.html” target=”_blank”>
<font color=”#800080″>Nettles and dandelions</font>
</a> tend to produce bitter flavors but ginger’s sweetness will help balance the taste. </p>
<p>• 1 handful fresh nettle tops<br />
• 1 handful dandelion flowers<br />
• 1 ½ pounds sugar<br />
• 2 tablespoons ginger, freshly-grated<br />
• 2 lemons, sliced<br />
• ½ ounce yeast </p>
<p>1. Add the nettles to a pan. Cover with about 19 cups water, bring to boil and cook for 10 minutes. Strain into a bowl and set aside.</p>
<p>2. Add dandelion flowers to another pan, cover with 19 cups water and boil for 10 minutes. Strain into same bowl as nettles. Stir in sugar and ginger, and mix well.</p>
<p>3. Transfer to a fermenting bucket, arrange lemon slices and scatter yeast on top. Cover and allow to sit over night; strain liquid, bottle and store in a cool, dark place for at least 3 weeks – then bottoms up!</p>
<p>Source: <a href=”http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/brewing/fetch-recipe.php?rid=herb-beer”>http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/brewing/fetch-recipe.php?rid=herb-beer</a>
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Herbal Beers: Cheers to Fresh Flavor
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