Drom John Chrysanthemum Honey Rye Ale

[DromJohn]

Partial Mash

Batch size: 5.25 gallons

2 lb Munich (Gambrinus Organic)
1 lb Rye Malt (Weyermann Organic)
1 lb flaked rye (organic)
0.5 lb Chocolate Malt (Briess Organic)

50 minute steep 153F

60 minute boil

2 oz Chrysanthemum (60 min)
4.4 lb Pale LME (Briess Organic) (15 min)
2 oz Chrysanthemum (15 min)
2 oz Chrysanthemum ( 5 min)
44 oz local honey (0 min)

White Labs California Ale V WLP051

2 weeks primary

3 weeks bottle conditioned

First taste: 25 January 2014

Every eighth brew is now the experimental slot. This is also my first almost 100% organic brew, with only the White Labs not certified. The honey is local, the chrysanthemum is from Mountain Rose, and the rest from Seven Bridges Cooperative. A lot of rye, a bit much with the chocolate, a braggotdocious amount of honey, … it's hopless. OTOH, the wort tasted wonderful. And the end result will be interesting.

 

[DromJohn]

Different. Drinkable, but if commercial I wouldn't have a second bottle. Rye was hidden by everything else. The chrysanthemum was dominant, honey a strong second. In the unlikely even that I rebrew, I'd halve the chrysanthemum and use 40 oz of the honey.

 

[Corey_SS]

This is interesting. I assume the chrysanthemums provide some bitterness? If so, is it enough to counter the lack of hops?

 

[stpug]

Sorry I didn't see this sooner, but when I think of Chrysanthemum....

...I think of pyrethrins (you know, the natural pesticide ). I guess if I had worms I'd guzzle the stuff, otherwise I think I'd pass.

 

[DromJohn]

The two inspirations for this brew were DfH Chateau Jiahu which uses chrysanthemum, hawthorn berries and 1/4 oz Simcoe; and that for decades, chrysanthemum has been my go to tea at dim sum restaurants.

1) My thinking was that I needed lots of chrysanthemum to get enough bitterness. The proportion may even be short for bitterness purposes, but the flavor is too strong.

2) SWMBO suggested we try to mix this with
a) rye whiskey as a cocktail.
b) lemonade as a radler.

 

[stpug]

The two inspirations for this brew were DfH Chateau Jiahu which uses chrysanthemum, hawthorn berries and 1/4 oz Simcoe; and that for decades, chrysanthemum has been my go to tea at dim sum restaurants.

1) My thinking was that I needed lots of chrysanthemum to get enough bitterness. The proportion may even be short for bitterness purposes, but the flavor is too strong.

2) SWMBO suggested we try to mix this with
a) rye whiskey as a cocktail.
b) lemonade as a radler.

Good info there. I've actually had chateau jaihu and it was super good. I must have missed the fact that it has chrysanthemum in it. Now I need to find another bottle so I can sample it again.

The mix with lemonade sounds like it could work.

 

[DromJohn]

I had my second bottle last night, split three ways.

Straight, not good.

3 parts ale to 1 part rye, good. However, the rye straight is much better. I used Wild Turkey Forgiven, so maybe with a lesser rye?

However, 50/50 with Simply Lemonade was very good.

When life gives you Chrysthanemum Honey Rye Ale, make lemonade.
RDWAHAHBRadler.