This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
As the flowers reappear after months of absence and add color to the landscapes, why not try the flower-scented beers, which offer a bouquet of springtime flavors?
Increasingly popular with our brewers who are the most open to their land, local flowers enhance the flavor of our beers more than ever. A colorful way to brighten up our tastings after such a long winter, we must admit! That said, we should not be surprised by the phenomenon. After all, hops, the main flavoring of beer in the West since the Middle Ages, can also develop floral accents depending on the cultivar used. When you think about it, it’s not such a big creative leap for a brewer to work various types of bouquets for their beers.
Hops, a source of floral flavors
Types of hops from the Northwestern United States, such as Crystal and Nugget, have a high concentration of geraniol and linalool, two molecules responsible for floral aromas. Some hops grown here in Quebec, such as Triple Pearl and Centennial (also of American origin), can also give floral flavors, even if no real flower petals are present in the brewer’s recipe. This explains the tasting notes commonly found on specialty bar labels and menus.
A contemporary concept with distant roots
Before the modern era, lots of herbs, leaves and flowers were regularly featured in beer. From yarrow to heather, the possibilities were vast. In today’s Quebec, examples abound and help create an identity specific to our brewing scene.
La Confrérie, in Chaudière-Appalaches, concocts its Mlle Violette with lavender. Microbrasserie Charlevoix, for its part, combines chamomile with classic coriander seeds for its Blanche de Charlevoix. Tête d’Allumette, in Bas-Saint-Laurent, adds a pinch of agastache to its Blanche Tête and Sept Grains. Saint-Fût, in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, favors willowherb, immortelle and goldenrod in its Fleur du Nord.
In the end, there are as many possibilities as there are colors in the summer fields of Quebec.
And know that like the fragility of petals, floral beers tend to be deliciously light. Perfect for sitting at the table with delicate dishes such as a garden salad or grilled chicken.
Good discoveries!
Every month, on cariboumag.com, author and brewing globetrotter Martin Thibault presents a flavor that Quebec craft brewers showcase in their beers. Whether it comes from a simple addition of the star ingredient or from the chemistry between grains, hops and fermentations, this flavor proves that the world of beer is constantly expanding.
Three beers from here with floral flavors
This content was produced by the Special Publications team of the Duty, pertaining to marketing. The drafting of Duty did not take part.