Brewing with Yarrow

Heya,
I'd like to brew a batch of stout for my brother, whom loves beer, but is allergic to hops. I've read and heard that yarrow root is a great substitute for hops but I can't find anywhere to buy the stuff!!

If anyone has any suggestions as to where I can get some online, I'd be in your debt.

Cheers

There was a thread about hop allergies last week...you may find some info and insights there...

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=19403&highlight=allergy

I just bought two Yarrow plants from a local nursery.
Pretty interesting stuff from what I've read, kills all kinds of beasties
(antimicrobial) plus it has thujone, a component in absynthe.
Hopefully it doesn't taste too odd. Just my arrogant opinion

Yarrow is also quite easy to grow.

DarthCaitSith said:

Yarrow is also quite easy to grow.

Click to expand...

HaHa, it's listed as a noxious weed in some places. You can easily have a whole bed of yarrow with no work at all.

Veng said:

I just bought two Yarrow plants from a local nursery.
Pretty interesting stuff from what I've read, kills all kinds of beasties
(antimicrobial) plus it has thujone, a component in absynthe.
Hopefully it doesn't taste too odd. Just my arrogant opinion

Click to expand...

It has an interesting, medicinal flavor. Aside from what you mention it is my 'bandaid' when I am in the garden. It contains something that has been proven to stop bleeding. I just ball up some leaves in between my thumb/forefinger and stick it on to small cuts. It really does work. I have used small amounts of it in various dishes in the kitchen. It is not at all unpleasant imo (in small amounts).

They have a silver green foliage that is quite attractive, and the flowering tops are rather subdued but attract a myriad of beneficial insects to the garden if you are into natural pest controls for gardening.

Nurmey is spot on, it reseeds like mad. If you don't want that to happen you need to top them just after flowering.

I recently picked some up from mountain rose herbs based in Eugene, OR. 4oz / $3.00
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/

but they also offer it in bulk at my local co-op.

it's organic if you're the kind of person who cares about those sorts of things. You mentioned however that you are looking for yarrow root, I would suggest using the leaf and stem portion. It's very aromatic but definitely an acquired taste (I added a 1/2oz to an IPA). Don't know about using it as a bittering agent though... haven't tried that.

for other alternatives check out, http://www.gruitale.com/
or peep this thread, https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=58473