How do you feel about chamomile in beer?

Some say it is used in certain Wit beers, if it is distinct you used too much. Homebrewers have been using it for a long time.

 

Spectra Trifecta was way too much chamomile for me. I prefer the flavor to be a bit more subdued.

 

Just yummy!

http://www.bunitedint.com/information/brands/description/128/

 

Spices/Herbs in beer can be a very tricky thing.

From a beer drinker perspective we all have our own unique preferences for which herbs we enjoy vs. not. For example, when it comes to food I am not a huge fan of marjoram. I have not had a beer brewed with marjoram (to my knowledge) and I have no idea how the brewing process would affect this herb (vs. cooking) but I suspect that I would not enjoy marjoram in my beers.

For brewers the ‘trick’ is how much of a given spice/herb to use and how to use that spice/herb (e.g., add it to the end of boil, add as a ‘dry hop’, etc.). The combination of amount and method of use will have significant effects on the resulting beer.

I am not aware that I have ever had a beer specifically brewed with chamomile but if it was used judiciously I think I would enjoy its contributions.

I homebrew a Wit every year using a combination of coriander and curacao orange peel (bitter orange peel). IMO the curacao orange peel provides an aroma/flavor akin to chamomile and I enjoy that aspect in this beer.

Cheers!

Edit: Thanks to @Giovannilucano for his post concerning Nuova Mattina. I won a bottle of that beer at a beer event and I greatly enjoyed drinking that beer. There is a lot of other stuff going on in that beer beyond chamomile but I greatly enjoyed drinking that bottle of Nuova Mattina.

 

Dogfish Head Ta Henket had chamomile, and it was very prominent in the aroma and taste. That beer was tragically underappreciated, IMHO.

It was a worthy addition to Dogfish Head’s series of "archaeological" beers, and at the time I couldn’t help but wonder if it was the most authentic of the lot, given the ingredients and approach. It received polarizing reviews, and it was a rare beer where I got a bit upset that people didn't seem to respect what DFH was attempting. I'll be truly surprised if they brew it again.

 

Use it well, and enjoy the results.

 

Never had it but have a Chateau Jiahu? Sam Adams Honey queen? Idk i have both. One has chamomile, sitting around so will try that ingredient soon.

 

Spectra Trifecta and Scary Jesus were a bit perfumey for me. If you like those I recommend Black rocks Honey Lav(lavender)

 

When I met my soon to be wife in 1979, she had a bad cold and I made us some chamomile tea; she got better quickly, almost as quickly as we got married!

 

Whoa! Is chamomile a love potion!!

Cheers!

 

Yes, I think it is!

 

I've had a few beers where I thought it brought something to the table. Having said that, I've never purchased any again...

 

Not a big fan... I had Spectra Trifecta and as an Herbed/Spiced its ok to use however in this brew i thought it was strong and overshadowed the intended style (kolsch), i could see this in a Wheat, Bier De Garde or Saison

 

I don't want any lizards in my beer

 

I haven't had it, but I can imagine that it could work, depending on the base style and other additions...

 

Sleepy.

 

Am I the only one who clicked this thread to figure out what chamomile is?