Need recommendations for a themed series of six brews
A friend and I have the opportunity to collaborate with a local CSA farm to produce some beer for members. We are thinking of providing beer throughout the growing season with styles and labels that capture the spirit of a New England organic farm.
What styles would you recommend to represent the different phases? We were thinking some kind of bock or brown ale for the early planting. A light kolsch or honey wheat for mid-summer, and obviously an oktoberfest at harvest time.
We want people to enjoy the offerings, and an IPA will be in the mix there somewhere. Any suggestions on a series of six beers to represent planting through harvest?
This isn't a commercial venture, just an idea to reward CSA volunteers and key members, with the possibility of expanding the offering the following year. Thanks!
Posted Dec 15, 2013, 10:25 PM UTC
I would consider going Belgian for most of the series, if not for all of it.
Having just completed our first (FULL SHARE) CSA, my wife and I were blown away by the variety and volume of food. Both of us, and I would venture many who make the effort to join a CSA, are always seeking bold, interesting and unique flavors. I think that Belgian beer epitomizes this above all other beer styles.
Since Belgian brewers have been so tied to an agrarian life style many of their beers echo the change in seasons.
A Beer De Mars, a Farmhouse Saison, a Belgian Triple, an Abbey Double and a Belgian Quad are classic styles that are ever open for interpretation that work wonderfully in different seasons. Add an IPA or, even better, a sour and you've got your 6 beers.
The flavors of Belgian ales tend to be more widely accepted than traditional American lager or craft beer hop-bombs. The fermentation of Belgian ales is much more forgiving than many "clean" ales and far easier than a bock or oktoberfest lager.
I think that Belgian style ales make the most sense from a brewing stand point, a flavor stand point and an interest stand point.
Imagine doing all of these beers in cork-n-cage! What an amazing presentation. Here is a Sage Saison I recently bottled for some inspiration - Imgur
cheers!
Those are great ideas. Especially the farmhouse saison. Your bottles are amazing.