In the ninth century, Finnish brewers created sahti, a beer made on hot rocks over an open fire and seasoned with juniper berries. Dogfish Head Brewery has brought this beer back to life in their Ancient Ales line as Sah’tea. The brew still includes berries foraged from the countryside in Finland, but Dogfish added one more ingredient to amp up the flavor: black tea.
Sah’tea brought to light something that ancient civilizations and home brewers alike have known all along—that beer is better with a little bit of tea. Centuries ago, hops, the now-standard beer ingredient, were not used. Brewers used a selection of herbs and spices to balance out the malt and yeast, essentially making a tea out of ingredients like orange peel, anise, cardamom, ginger, and vanilla, and then adding that infusion to their alcohol concoction as it brewed. Archaeologists have even found remnants of alcohol made with herbs and spices dating back to the Neolithic period.
Flavor Makers
Brewers today are keeping this long-held tradition of spiced beers alive with an eclectic selection of additions. Celestial Seasonings teas are a favorite of home brewers, particularly the Lemon Zinger and Chamomile, but honey and other spices are prevalent as well.
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