Herbal Beers?

Wow, you hit on two flavors that I would avoid at all costs in a beer. Good luck!

 

I think that you definitely get herbal character out of the Noble hop varieties, depending upon how they’re used. A heavily hopped Pils in the North German style will often have a substantial herbal bite.

 

A few suggestions come to mind :

Saison Du Buff is made with herbs; I don't doubt that there are other Saisons out there made the same way

Affligem's yeast signature on its own has a medicinal quality, might be up your alley .

Search for Fernet beers. Fernet is a type of bitter aperitif, and should give off that quality in spades (disclaimer: I've never had one myself. )

As an aside, it's not beer but you will probably enjoy the Italian amari beverages like Averna, Ramazzotti, etc., if you're into that kind of flavor .

 

I think some black IPAs have this flavor, and if you can find a gruit, it may also work for you. I don't have specific beer names though, since most of what I'm thinking of is only available here.

 

Malort Barrel Aged Dark Lord

 

I'd go for a Gruit or a Sahti. Not a fan of either style personally, but they're usually flavored with various natural herbs.

 

If a mentholy/wintergreeny/sprucey/minty hoppy experience sounds good, Dogfish Head's Pennsylvania Tuxedo might be worth a visit.

 

Not the exact same kind of herbal profile as Ricola or Jager, but I've enjoyed the 2 beers with basil I've tried: Lindemans/Mikkeller Spontanbasil and Wander Brewing Vanbier.

 

There are a couple of breweries in my area (that do not distribute very far) that are doing very interesting things with gruit and "foraged" beers using some interesting ingredients. I think that's the problem you will face - might find somebody playing with these formulations locally, but not much in the way of distribution.

 

My wife got semi-addicted to this this past season. I prefer Beer for Breakfast over this though.

 

I have one word for you; just one word.

Gruit.

 

Propolis Brewing here is WA state makes a very wide range of herbal beers/gruits.

 

Try this style: https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/style/70/ - Scottish Gruit/Ancient Herbed Ale.

 

Good lord that's one I will avoid at all costs. ANOTHER dfh to add to that list. And I don't even have an issue with spruce or like one of them there mint chocolate stouts-a-whosits. Beer+menthol=gack.

 

Yes, it is not for everyone. Dogfish Head certainly takes risks with their beer. Which is why I appreciate them, and is also why I will always look to buy a single first before I commit to anything more!