Brewing Scottish Ale with Real Thistle Flowers

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by jimboothdesigns, Aug 30, 2015.

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  1. jimboothdesigns

    jimboothdesigns Initiate (0) Nov 1, 2014 Pennsylvania

    I would like to brew a Scottish Ale using real thistle flowers. After a brush fire early this Spring, our field is now over run with thistles. I'd like to harvest the flowers and/or leaves and use them in a home brew. Any advocates out there with thistle experience?
     
    #1 jimboothdesigns, Aug 30, 2015
  2. MrOH

    MrOH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,995) Jul 5, 2010 Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    The closest I can come is with cheese. There are a lot of Portugese/ Western Spanish sheeps milk cheeses (Torta-Style is the family) that are coagulated with thistle blossoms. They tend to have a pronounced artichoke-like vegetal flavor (makes sense, artichokes are in the thistle family), and can be quite bitter.
    I'd say tread lightly and do it is a smaller test batch.
     
    #2 MrOH, Aug 31, 2015
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  3. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    I have a novice question: What do thistle flowers taste like?

    Split the batch and have a baseline to compare with. This way you get at least 2 gallons of good beer. :slight_smile:
     
    #3 inchrisin, Aug 31, 2015
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  4. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    Traditionally served in a "thistle" glass, but historically other herbs and hops were used more often (if I remember correctly)
     
    #4 GreenKrusty101, Aug 31, 2015
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