Going back ever further, to the time before hops swept across Europe's brewing scene, there was gruit. Seems like its making a comeback...Wall Street Journal article. It appears it could have Other Benefits too. Gruit ales also have their own website! www.gruitale.com. Interested to note from the abovementioned that Cologne - big brewing town and centre for Kolsch (the blond German ale cousin of Altbier) - was once a centre for Gruit ales.
I'm becoming increasingly intrigued by the prospect of trying to brew a batch of gruit ale, especially as I read that the herbs involved are very different in their effect from soporific hops- with stimulant and possibly lucid dream inducing properties. I'm looking into sourcing some of the key herbs - sweet gale, yarrow and wild rosemary. Currently I'm drawing a blank in the UK, but I'm making enquiries!
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