Blue Nile Lotus Gruit
The Vermont Pub & Brewery

After deciding to get besotted over a girl I arrived at the Pub and grabbed this one to start my binge. The beer was a hazy light amber off the tap with a small head of off-white foam. Retention and lacing needed work. The aroma was very floral and spicy in a sweet way. Intriguing. The flavors were equally engaging, white pepper and Asian spices with the subtle Lotus flower and floral hops behind that. The mouthfeel was smooth and the body light. Drinkable for a Gruit but notably odd as a beer and even for the style.

The description of this gruit says that it is spiced with black peppercorns, yarrow and ginseng. It's also infused with blue nile lotus flowers.

Color: Hazy golden amber color with a decent one-finger head.

Aroma: Sweet and flowery. Black peppercorn and lotus flower show through. Hard to tell because I've never had anything like this before.

Taste: Smooth and malty with the peppercorn, yarrow and ginseng showing through. Neither spice is too strong. Taste is unique.

Mouthfeel: Spicy, peppery. If you've never had a gruit, you might find this a turn-off. I digress though.

Verdict: This is an unique example of a gruit and goes further than other gruits I've had so far. It's different enough that it might scare off people who are unfamiliar with the style. Still worth trying while you can find it on tap.