Home brewing beer is becoming increasingly popular as more craft breweries open up and more people want to try their hand at creating unique brews.
One of the most interesting flavors that you can use to homebrew is lavender.
In this article, we will discuss how to home-brew beer with lavender, a flavorful and aromatic herb that can create an interesting twist on your typical beer recipe.
We’ll cover the basics of what ingredients you need, the steps involved in brewing your beer, and tips for making sure you get the best possible result.
So if you’re ready to experiment with something new in your next home-brewing session, then read on!
The history of lavender beer
Lavender has been used in brewing for centuries. In the medieval era, lavender was used to flavor beer and ale.
Lavender was also a popular ingredient in gruit, a type of herbal mixture used to flavor beer before the use of hops became widespread.
Lavender continued to be used in brewing throughout the years but fell out of favor during the Industrial Revolution.
The use of hops became more prevalent, and brewers began using other herbs and spices to flavor their beers.
However, lavender made a comeback in recent years as craft brewers have begun experimenting with unusual ingredients.
There are now many different lavender beers available, ranging from light and refreshing lagers to rich and hearty stouts.
If you’re looking to try something new, be sure to check out one of these unique brews!
What do you need to brew lavender beer?
In order to brew beer with lavender, you will need the following items:
- 1 pound of dried lavender
- 1 ounce of hops
- 5 gallons of water
- 2 pounds of malt extract
- Yeast
Lavender beer recipe
Once you have gathered all of your ingredients, you will need to boil the water and add the malt extract and hops.
Then, you will need to steep the lavender in the mixture for about 30 minutes.
Pour the mixture into a clean, sterilized jug or bottle and seal tightly. Store in a cool, dark place for 2 weeks to allow fermentation to occur.
After 2 weeks, carefully pour the clear beer into another container, being careful not to disturb the sediment at the bottom of the first jug. Enjoy your homemade lavender beer!
Tips for brewing the perfect batch of lavender beer
Lavender has a long history of being used in brewing. In ancient times, it was used to make beer before hops were introduced.
Today, lavender is still used in some Belgian beers. If you want to try your hand at making a lavender beer, here are some tips:
- Use fresh or dried lavender flowers. Dried lavender will give your beer a more intense flavor than fresh lavender.
- Add the lavender during the boil. This will help to extract the flavor and avoid adding bitterness to your beer.
- Use caution when adding lavender oil to your beer. A little goes a long way and too much can make your beer taste soap-like.
- Try a dry-hopped lavender beer to really bring out the flavor of the lavender. This is done by adding dried lavender flowers to the secondary fermentation vessel after primary fermentation has been completed.
How to store and serve your lavender beer
The first thing you need to do is make sure your beer is properly stored. Beer should be kept in a cool, dark place.
If you are going to store your beer for an extended period of time, you should consider investing in a wine fridge or beer cooler.
Once your beer is properly stored, it’s time to start serving it! The best way to serve beer is at cellar temperature, which is around 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
To get your beer to cellar temperature, simply take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you plan on serving it.
Now that you know how to store and serve your lavender beer, all that’s left to do is sit back and enjoy a cold one!
The benefits of drinking lavender beer
If you love the taste of lavender, you’ll love brewing beer with it at home.
Not only does lavender add a unique flavor to your beer, but it also has many benefits that can improve your health and well-being.
- Lavender is known for its relaxing properties, so brewing beer with it can help you wind down after a long day. It’s also said to promote good sleep, so if you struggle with insomnia, brewing beer with lavender may help you get a better night’s rest.
- Lavender is also good for your skin and hair. When used in shampoo or soap, lavender can help improve dryness and itchiness. And when applied topically, lavender oil can help heal cuts and burns.
- Lavender beer can help to relax the drinker. The linalool in lavender oil has sedative properties, which can help to induce relaxation. This makes a lavender beer a great choice for those who are looking to wind down at the end of the day.
- Lavender beer may help to improve digestion. One study showed that the essential oils in lavender can help to protect the stomach from ulcers. This makes a lavender beer a good choice for those who suffer from stomach issues or indigestion.
- Lavender beer may have anti-inflammatory properties. The linalool in lavender oil has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. This means that drinking lavender beer may help to reduce inflammation throughout the body.
- Lavender beer may boost cognitive function. One study showed that inhaling lavender oil improved memory and cognitive function in rats. While more research is needed to determine if these effects extend to humans, there is potential that drinking lavender beer could help improve brain function.
Conclusion
Several health advantages have been linked to lavender beer.
This light, refreshing brew goes well with a cup of tea or a glass of wine.
It’s a tried-and-true favorite for both men and women searching for a light drink.
