Best Places To Buy Gruut Beer

Gruit beer, also known as Ancient Herbed Ale, is a unique type of beer that uses herbs, spices, and other natural ingredients instead of hops to create a complex and bitter flavour profile. While authentic gruits can be challenging to find due to legal requirements for hops in beer, several breweries worldwide specialize in crafting these ancient ales. For those interested in trying this medieval beverage, here is some information on where to buy Gruut beer.

Online beer retailers

Gruit beer, also known as Ancient Herbed Ale, is a type of beer made without hops. This unique brewing style dates back to ancient times, and today, it can be challenging to find "authentic" gruits in the mainstream marketplace due to laws requiring hops in beer products. However, there are a few online retailers that offer gruit beer for purchase.

One option is to check out specialist online liquor stores such as GotoLiquorStore, which offers Gruit/Ancient Herbed Ale for sale. However, it is important to note that you must be of legal drinking age to enter and purchase from these websites. Another option is to look for online craft beer retailers or platforms that connect you with local breweries and stores. Websites like Crafty Brew in Australia or TapHunter in the US can be great resources for finding unique beers like gruit. These sites often provide information on beer availability and can help you discover new breweries and beer styles.

Additionally, some breweries have their own online stores where you can purchase their beers directly. For example, Big Beaver Brewing Co. offers its Burning Wood Gruit, a beer based on an 800-year-old medieval recipe, through its website. New Belgium Brewing also offers a gruit beer as part of their Lips of Faith series, which can be found on their website or through online beer retailers.

It is worth noting that the availability of gruit beer may vary by region, and some beers may not be available in certain areas. Additionally, the selection of gruit beers may be limited compared to more mainstream styles. However, with a bit of searching and flexibility, you can certainly find and purchase gruit beers online to explore this ancient and intriguing style of brewing.

Local beer stores

Gruit beer, also known as ancient herbed ale, is a type of beer that does not contain hops. Instead, it uses herbs, spices, and other natural ingredients to provide bittering, aromatic, and flavouring characteristics. While gruit beers can be difficult to find due to laws requiring the presence of hops for a product to be sold as beer, there are some local beer stores and breweries that offer gruit beers or similar options.

When searching for gruit beer, it is advisable to check with local beer stores and specialty liquor stores in your area. Some stores may carry gruit beers or similar options, such as ancient herb ales. It is worth inquiring about their selection and availability, as these beers can be seasonal or limited releases. Additionally, some stores may be able to special order gruit beers upon request.

Online Options

If you cannot find gruit beer at your local stores, there are online options to consider. Websites like GotoLiquorStore.com and TotalWine.com offer gruit beers available for purchase online. However, you may need to provide your address to check product availability in your area.

Breweries and Brewpubs

Another option is to explore local breweries and brewpubs, as some may experiment with gruit beers or ancient ales. For instance, Big Beaver Brewing Co. offers a gruit beer called Burning Wood Gruit, based on an 800-year-old medieval recipe. Similarly, New Belgium Brewing has a gruit beer as part of their Lips of Faith series, which explores ancient herb mixtures for bittering instead of hops. Scotland's Williams Brothers Brewing Co. also has a Historic Ale Series, where they attempt to recreate traditional Scottish beers with a token amount of hops.

In summary, while gruit beer may not be as prevalent as hopped beers, there are local beer stores, online retailers, and breweries that can provide options for those interested in trying this ancient style of beer. It is always worth inquiring and exploring to discover the unique flavours and experiences that gruit beers have to offer.

Breweries in Scotland

Scotland has a rich history of brewing, with beer production dating back approximately 5,000 years. The country is known for its Celtic tradition of using bittering herbs, which persisted longer than in the rest of Europe. While the number of breweries declined in the 20th century, the end of the century saw a resurgence of small breweries, and today, there are over 100 breweries across Scotland.

Stewart Brewing, Loanhead, Edinburgh

Founded by Steve and Jo Stewart in 2004, Stewart Brewing offers a fun and informative experience. Their brewery tours run every Friday evening, starting with a cold beer upon arrival. Visitors can enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the brewery, followed by a beer flight of their choice from 18 taps. The on-site beer and pizza kitchen offers a delightful combination, and the shop allows visitors to stock up on their favourite Scottish craft beers.

Uile-bheist Distillery & Brewery, Inverness, Highlands

Uile-bheist Distillery & Brewery is a haven for beer and whisky enthusiasts. Located on the banks of the River Ness, this brewery is committed to sustainability, with locally sourced base malt and power generated from the river. They offer a range of tours, including the Discovery Tour, which explores the folklore, mythology, history, and beer-making process. The Head Brewer tour provides an in-depth insight into the world of craft beer with an expert brewer. All experiences include tasting sessions to savour their diverse range of beers.

Fyne Ales, Cairndow, Argyll & The Isles

Fyne Ales is a must-visit destination for beer enthusiasts, offering brewery tours every weekend. Their award-winning craft beers are brewed with a focus on sustainability, using foraged ingredients to bring unique character and flavour. Visitors can opt for the standard tour with a half-pint of Fyne Ales beer or the tasting tour with a flight of beers. The Brewery Tap provides a relaxed atmosphere to savour beers like Highlander, Hurricane, and Jarl.

Tennent’s Wellpark Brewery, Glasgow

Tennent’s Wellpark Brewery has been a staple of Scottish brewing since 1556, and their lager is widely enjoyed across the country. The brewery tour takes visitors on a journey from their humble beginnings to international success, culminating in a free pint. The beer masterclass experience delves into different beer styles and their history, accompanied by a variety of Scottish beers for tasting.

BrewDog DogTap, Ellon

BrewDog DogTap, located in Aberdeenshire, is a craft beer lover's paradise. Their brewery tours, running from Friday to Sunday, offer exclusive access to the brewhouse, beer museum, and HQ offices. The beer school experience enhances your knowledge of craft beer and food pairing. They also cater to dog lovers, offering BrewDog Dog Pawties with special treats, party hats, and dog ice cream sundaes for four-legged friends.

Breweries in Belgium

Belgium is a beer mecca, with Brussels alone boasting between 20 to 30 breweries. Here is a selection of some of the best breweries in Belgium, with a focus on those in Brussels.

Cantillon

This historic brewery in Brussels specialises in lambic and gueuze beers, which use spontaneous fermentation and take a minimum of one year to mature. Cantillon was founded in 1900 and still brews on the same second-hand equipment that survived World War II. Their lambics are highly coveted all over the world.

L'Ermitage

This is one of the new-guard breweries in Brussels, having opened in 2017 in an old cigarette factory near Cantillon. L'Ermitage brews up to 2,000 hectoliters a year and focuses on wine hybrids and American IPAs, as well as porters and sour ales.

Brasserie de la Senne

This brewery, which opened in 2010, is considered a landmark in Brussels. It specialises in Belgian pale ales, such as their flagship beer Zinnebir, and Belgian blondes like Taras Boulba.

3 Fonteinen

Located about 30 minutes from downtown Brussels, 3 Fonteinen is another well-known lambic and gueuze brewery. They offer a wide variety of geuze and lambik beers, as well as other styles.

De Halve Maan Brewery

De Halve Maan is a family-run brewery in Bruges that was started in 1856. It is the last authentic family-run brewery in the city and is known for beers like Bruges Zot and Bruges Zot Dubbel.

Bourgogne des Flandres Brewery

This brewery offers a wealth of information about the history of the brewery and the brewing process. Their tour guide, Els, was praised for her amazing job of explaining the family history, the brewing process, and the beer-making.

Brouwerij Bosteels

This brewery in Ghent has been called a highlight of Belgium by visitors. It offers fascinating discussions of the history of the brewery and the Bosteels family, as well as tours of the brewing process.

Sint-Sixtusabdij Westvleteren

Located in Vleteren, this abbey brewery makes one of the rarest beers in the world, the Belgian quad Westy 12. The beer is only brewed once a week and sold in small quantities, making it a bucket list item for craft beer connoisseurs.

Homebrewing

Ingredients and Recipe

Gruit beer is characterised by the absence of hops, which are typically used for bittering, aroma, and flavour in modern beers. Instead, gruit beers use a variety of herbs, spices, and other natural ingredients to create a complex and intriguing flavour profile. Some common herbs and spices used in gruit beers include bog myrtle, horehound, elderflowers, yarrow, wormwood, and sprigs of pine. These ingredients work to offset the sweetness of the malts, resulting in a bitter, dry, and velvety-sweet beverage.

When creating your recipe, consider using a combination of these herbs and spices, or experiment with other additions that can enhance the flavour. You can also refer to ancient recipes or historical recreations, such as the Historic Ale Series by Williams Brothers Brewing Co., which uses a "token" amount of hops along with herbal ingredients.

Brewing Process

The brewing process for gruit beer is similar to that of a traditional beer, but with a few key differences due to the absence of hops. Here are some general steps to follow:

• Mashing: Combine your chosen grains (such as barley) with warm water to create a mash, which will convert starches into sugars. Maintain a consistent temperature range for optimal enzyme activity.
• Boiling: After straining the wort (sugar-rich liquid) from the mash, bring it to a boil. This step helps sterilise the wort and prepares it for fermentation. It's also when you would typically add hops for bittering, but in the case of gruit beer, you'll be adding your chosen herbs and spices.
• Cooling: Cool the wort down to a temperature suitable for yeast fermentation, usually around room temperature. This step is crucial for preparing the wort to receive the yeast.
• Fermentation: Add yeast to the cooled wort and let it ferment. This process will convert the sugars in the wort into alcohol. Maintain a consistent temperature and monitor the fermentation process regularly.
• Aging and Bottling: Once fermentation is complete, you can choose to age your beer to develop more complex flavours. After aging, bottle or keg your gruit beer, and allow it to condition before serving.

Legal Considerations

It's important to note that due to certain laws and regulations, there may be requirements for hops to be present in a product sold as "beer". This can vary depending on your location, so be sure to research and understand the legal requirements in your area before attempting to sell or distribute your homebrewed gruit beer.

Pairing and Serving

Gruit beers tend to pair well with roasted meats, such as venison, especially when cooked with complementary aromatic herbs like rosemary and thyme. They also go nicely with washed-rind cheeses, such as Italian taleggio. Remember that each gruit beer is unique due to the wide variety of herbs used, so checking the label or tasting notes will help you decide on the best food pairings for your homebrewed creation.

Frequently asked questions