Visions Of Summer - Bottle
9.6%

Visions Of Summer

Yarrow-Oregano Braggot

Homebrew Series

Named after the epic song from Causa Sui, "Visions Of Summer" is a beer-mead hybrid brewed with yarrow and fermented with a saison yeast, then refermented on a potent wild oregano infusion blended with honey from summer wildflowers, before finally being bottle conditioned. Without using any hops, the aromatics and rich flavor profile come entirely from the wildflowers and honey, as well as the fermentation process itself.

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  • Last brewedFebruary 1, 2023
  • Alcohol9.6%
  • MaltsVienna, Pale, Munich I
  • HerbsYarrow (Achilea millefolium),
    Wild Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
  • YeastWyeast 3711 French Saison
  • ExtrasPolyfloral Honey
Visions Of Summer - Label Design

While at a local brew pub in Munich I had the chance to try a beer-mead hybrid brewed by Mad Scientist from Hungary in collaboration with Varvar from Ukraine. Their double dry-hopped braggot tasted fantastic and was just so rich in honey flavor that it inspired me to try and brew my own. So after flipping through books, browsing online resources, and even talking to Mad Scientist themselves, I had finally gathered enough information to put together my own braggot recipe and get my hands dirty just in time for International Gruit Day. The intention was for this to be as true to style as possible: a beer-mead hybrid made out of grains and honey without using hops, but potentially being spiced with other herbs. Hops are convenient because they're readily available and provide both antibacterial properties as well as aromatics. To substitue them I opted for yarrow for its antibacterial properties, while for aroma I decided to use wild oregano, both of which I foraged myself. Given that a quarter of the fermentables were comprised of honey, its own aromatics played a key role as well, so I sourced honey made out of summer wildflowers from Moryson Ferments, a beekeeper and fellow homebrewer. Fermentation was done with a saison yeast strain which almost fully attenuated before I finally added the blend of wild-oregano infusion and honey to restart the fermentation. Since this was an opportunity to experiment, I also separated part of the braggot and added a potent infusion of acacia flowers to it to see if it's any different from the already floral rest of the batch. After three months of bottle conditioning this concoction poured a bright golden-amber color with intense honey flavor and floral aromatics that immediately shine through the slightly tart taste and suprisingly soft mouthfeel.

Visions Of Summer - Pencil DrawingVisions Of Summer - Ink IllustrationVisions Of Summer - Digital Print

The Artwork

This piece draws inspiration from several sources, all of which intertwine under the arch of mad honey. This intoxicating honey with its vision inducing properties plays not only on the psychedelic music that inspired the name or the "mad" brewery which inspired the beer, but also on the badger skull itself, intentionally chosen for the creature's affinity towards hives. The cycle of death and rebirth, an ever-fascinating theme for me, is also very much present under the guise of summer wildflowers, blooming from honeycomb eyes as all else crumbles, drips, and decays.

Visions Of Summer - Artwork
Visions Of Summer - Showcase

Availability

This is a homebrewed beer that is not available for sale or distribution of any kind. It was brewed at home in small quantities to be shared only with family and friends, simply out of passion for the craft and as a tribute to the music that inspired it.

  • Non-commercial
  • No selling
  • No distribution

Other Beers

Check out some of the other things I brewed that might be similar to this one, or alternatively just explore the full range regardless of their style.

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