Nettles (Urtica dioica) are in season at the moment, last year I was too late for this but today I'm making nettle beer with the first green growth. There are a lot of these free weeds around me, and dandelions (Taraxacum officinale).
Also brewing about the same time was brucedenney
There are many recipes which use nettles, but as far as I've looked they recommend young nettle tops, i.e. the tips of new growth.
I am working from this recipe
Nettles: ~2Lb (1Kg)
Dandelion root: 1x large-ish
Sugar (refined cane, white): ~1Lb (0.5Kg)
Ginger (dried, powdered): a large spoonful
Citric acid: ~1/2 tsp
Wine yeast compound: a sachet.
Big pan
Fermentation bucket with lid.
Ex Newcastle Brown beer-bottles
Strictly speaking this may not be "beer":
OED: n. 1 a an alcoholic drink made from yeast-fermented malt etc., flavoured with hops.
Although it goes on to say:
2 any of several other fermented drinks, e.g. ginger beer.
Also brewing about the same time was brucedenney
There are many recipes which use nettles, but as far as I've looked they recommend young nettle tops, i.e. the tips of new growth.
I am working from this recipe
Nettles: ~2Lb (1Kg)
Dandelion root: 1x large-ish
Sugar (refined cane, white): ~1Lb (0.5Kg)
Ginger (dried, powdered): a large spoonful
Citric acid: ~1/2 tsp
Wine yeast compound: a sachet.
Big pan
Fermentation bucket with lid.
Ex Newcastle Brown beer-bottles
Strictly speaking this may not be "beer":
OED: n. 1 a an alcoholic drink made from yeast-fermented malt etc., flavoured with hops.
Although it goes on to say:
2 any of several other fermented drinks, e.g. ginger beer.
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1: Collecting nettles
This week I noticed new nettle growth around my cottage. Remembering that I'd planned to make nettle beer last year but was too late in the season - this year I made a point of collecting some early.
Choose fresh, young and clean plants and only take the tops of (like picking tea). I used a pair of scissors and a glove because these plants are covered with irritant-filled hypodermic needles.
It's fairly obvious but - avoid plants which are harbouring insects or spider-nurseries, look diseased or eaten, are contaminated with soil, slug-slime or bird-turds etc.
You will need a lot, I collected two bags which was about the 2Lb the recipe requires. While I was at it I dug up a dandelion root to add in as well for bitterness.
Choose fresh, young and clean plants and only take the tops of (like picking tea). I used a pair of scissors and a glove because these plants are covered with irritant-filled hypodermic needles.
It's fairly obvious but - avoid plants which are harbouring insects or spider-nurseries, look diseased or eaten, are contaminated with soil, slug-slime or bird-turds etc.
You will need a lot, I collected two bags which was about the 2Lb the recipe requires. While I was at it I dug up a dandelion root to add in as well for bitterness.
Visit Our Store »
Go Pro Today »
im looking foward to doing this next apple sesson. On the farm in Waitomo the nettle grows around the caves and tomos (tow-mows). All of native nettle is near deadly it is called onga onga (on nga on nga), but our sub spieces of nettle is safe :)
thanks thanks thanks thanks
I only did this once, but thanks for the suggestion.
L
what seson is it just to double check
I'm summer now, it would have been spring then.
L
I forget, but is does depend a lot on temperature, water, yeast etc. (which is why I didn't say)
A few weeks I think.
L
L
L
L
L
L
L