Hi. My folks will celebrate 50 yrs of marital bliss this summer. I want to brew them something. However, there are challenges... My first thought was an aged stout; however, while my mom likes stouts my dad does not. He likes brown ales and pale ales. I introduced him to some Belgian styles by Unibroue and he really likes them. My dad is straight up American with some Scotch and maybe some Irish history, my mom is Norwegian. I want to tie these together... I'm thinking of a mild "imperial pale ale" with some Centennial (maybe 50% of the hops would be Centennial... for 50 yrs) and some UK hops like Goldings. After fermentation either move to 2ndary with some dried Norwegian elderberries. Or, a Scotch ale that was aged with the elderberries; however, I'm not sure how those flavors would blend. Thoughts overall? I don't have a recipe yet, I'm just bouncing around ideas. Thanks.
What about a porter (light on the roast) brewed with spruce tips? Not too sure about elderberries in either...but I've not brewed with them.
I would say that your best bet is just to brew something that everyone would enjoy, and try not to overthink it too much, especially given the relatively short time frame. For something as big as this, I'd hate to sink a lot of money and effort into a batch just to have it come out a hot mess. Maybe, since its their golden wedding anniversary, maybe a non-traditional Belgian Golden Ale, using Golden Promise, Golden Naked Oats, and Lyle's Golden Syrup as fermentables, East Kent Goldings for hops, and fermented with either the White Labs or Wyeast Belgian Golden strain?
Not a lot of time to age your beer. I would brew an easy summer drinker like a Pilsner,California common, ESB. Have fun.
