Wildflower Field Work: Manuka Blossom
REGION: Marrickville, NSW
SIZE: 750ml / ABV: 5%
"Field Work: Manuka Blossom aims to highlight the characteristics a single source of yeast and bacteria brings to our beer. We made this beer in late 2021 by brewing our ‘Gold’ recipe yet fermenting with a diversity of yeasts and bacteria collected from Manuka blossoms gifted to us by a friend in the Southern Highlands of NSW. It was transferred into ex-wine oak barrels for 9 months before being blended and bottled where it rested for conditioning and natural carbonation until release.
Initial strong Gold like nose, laden with yellow and orange citrus. There’s a depth to the nose, dark spice and heady honeyed floral tones. Oak blends with resiny pollen and gentle vanilla. Seamless integration across the palate. Tight and lively, lemon soda, lemon barley and bitter lemon. The palate flows beautifully, gaining some gentle dark herbal spice. Moreish acidity and phenolic bitterness give lovely length to the beer. Savoury white nut, white chocolate flavours linger." - Topher
It's difficult to overstate the impact of Wildflower since its inception only a few years ago in 2017. Hailing from Texas, Topher Boehm has an impressive resume - from Brasserie Thiriez to Jester King to his background in astrophysics - not to mention his unique house yeast. Cultivated from foraged wildflowers native to NSW, think wattle blossoms and banksia, blended with a Belgian saison strain, creating something truly individual which speaks of place. Topher even sprayed the entire brewery with inoculated wort when he moved in, just to make sure everything was literally covered in the house culture.