Botanical Amber
Hermit Thrush Brewery

Canned 4/13/21. “Herbal Amber” stamped on the side of the can

I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen a beer try to emulate vermouth before, but now I have this and the Botanical Gold to try. I find it funny that despite my budding interest in mixing cocktails over the past year, vermouth is a basic that I never really tried to get into. Will this beer convince me to start making vermouth cocktails? Doubtful, but I think it’ll be a fun beer nonetheless

Pours a cloudy brownish orange with a finger of soapy light beige head that fades to thin ring and leaves decent lacing

The botanical notes are subtle in the nose, but lend a bright freshness to this decidedly not fresh beer. I’m picking up on aromas of biscuity malt, lemon zest, black tea, herbal hops, thyme, orange zest, wet hay, and light sage

It’s much more herb-forward in taste, creating a super unique beer. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting lemon juice, thyme, lime zest, sage, bready malt, grape skin, sharp oak, and apple cider vinegar. The swallow brings notes of sage, herbal hops, black tea, biscuity malt, sharp oak, rosemary, lime zest, light juniper, and wet hay

A medium body pairs with gentle tingling carbonation, resulting in a sharp and slick beer. Finishes a tad sticky but dries out over time

This one is really interesting. I can’t begin to imagine how aggressive this was when it was first canned

Deep amber in color, fluffy white head and lacing. Getting that Brett funk and some herbal notes on the nose - thyme and rosemary. Flavors are a nice citrusy bitterness- lemon rind, kombucha funk, oak, and nice clean herbal finish. Really subtle on the hops, which is good. Really lets the other flavors shine. I was a bit apprehensive with this one but I was pleasantly surprised!

Pours a rich amber with a tan head.

Spicy herb, sour fruit, leathery grain.

Spicy hops , wormwood, lemon, and sour grain.