feedthebear

Recipes 

I've browsed through the book a little more. I think its meant to be for people who are interested in making tinctures but want them carbonated. That and it has a couple melomel and herb mead ideas.

I did find more recipes that use some malt. But still, very few are getting more than 2/3 of their sugar from malt.

Flipping through the appendix, the basic attitude of the book is that +300 years ago, people didn't rigidly control their fermentations and neither should the the brewers that are using the book.

My attitude is if I don't rigidly control the fermentation, I'll never be sure of what I'm getting as the end product. That and anything with a concentration of more than 4oz. of refined sugar per gallon is going to taste cidery.

I've decided to keep the book. I'm buying a couple more 6.5 gallon carboys at the end of the month and I'm going to dedicate one to making meads. I'm keeping the book for metheglin ideas, but thats it.

Yooper Chick, I also just picked up Extreme Brewing. I haven't had a chance to look it over yet. Radical Brewing will probably be in my next order.

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Planning: Agave Witbock, Raisin Beer
Primary: GF Hazelnut Stout
Tertiary: Cranberry-Pom pLambic (est. bottle date: 03/01/08)
Drinking: Cab.Sav/Merlot Wine, Grand Cru, Hazelnut Stout #3, Ordinary Bitter

solaceBrewing

Recipes 

I came across this thread while researching whether or not to buy this book, and almost didn't because of the postings above. However, I decided to purchase this book, and I'm very glad I did.

If you're looking for yet another book about beer, as defined from a Euro-American perspective, you should definitely pass this one over. However, if you're interested in
- the use of herbs in traditional fermented beverages
- brief histories of fermentation from a number of different cultures
- browsing ideas for unconventional brews
this is a great book.

To author writes in a note at the beginning: "This book is primarily intended to share the poetry and beauty of ancient fermentation and only secondarily to share recipes, some more than 2000 years old, for making ancient sacred and healing beers."

I hope this helps others who are considering this book but unsure of what they'd be getting. Personally, I'm excited about brewing heather ale (p 27; a recipe for this is also found in Radical brewing) and the millet beer, Chang (p 122), a traditional beverage that I tried when visiting northern India several years ago.

Happy brewing.

Lemon

Recipes 

BUMPing this thread.

Who has brewed these "beers"? Any thoughts?

I just got the book, and a one gallon fermenter. I plan to try a few, they look interesting. I agree they are not combinations of malted grains & hops, but I liked my first mead & hard cider enough .

I'm looking for a thread for people who have tried these recipes.

Thanks.