Beer #225 - W/C 17 June 2019
BREWERY // The Ek brothers (Fredrik, Christian and André) started Brekeriet in the small village of Djurslöv outside of Malmö in Autumn 2012. Brekeriet is the only brewery in Sweden to exclusively ferment beer using wild yeast and/or bacteria. In the early days of the brewery, they got hit by an infection of wild Brettanomyces yeast while experimenting with barrel fermentation. This would have been a disaster for most other breweries but the bothers Ek embraced the sourness and built a portfolio of beers around their new microscopic friends. To keep things interesting, they regularly incorporate wild local fruits and berries into their beers too. Brekeriet have a very limited production and we're absolutely delighted to have some of their beer in New Zealand.
BEER // We have no idea why Brekeriet decided to name such a heavenly beer Lucifer. Brettanomyces (British Fungus) was found in many beers before Louis Pasteur isolated yeast strains and brewers began favouring certain strains. Brett is known as a spoiling agent in wines and many beer styles due to the funky flavours it imparts which can bring to mind sweaty horse blankets and band-aids. Belgian Lambic breweries have always loved Brett and, in recent years, breweries the world over have embraced it. The yeast produces acetic acid which results in tart, sour flavours which are a perfect choice to compliment the passionfruit and pungent saffron in Lucifer. Beers made with Brett are highly attenuated and the dry finish works as a good foil for the super juicy passionfruit. Saffron is the most expensive food on earth, the spice comes from the stamens Crocus flowers. It has a sweet, savoury, earthy flavour and (fortunately) a little goes a long way. This is a complex and very special beer. Skål!
BREWERY // Brekeriet
BEER // Lucifer
STYLE // Wild Ale with Passionfruit & Saffron
ORIGIN // Landskrona, Sweden
ABV // 7%
TEMPERATURE // Cool- 8-10C
FOOD MATCH // Bouillabaisse. Herb Roasted Chicken. Salad w. Lemon Vinaigrette. Raclette
GLASS // Goblet. Wine Glass