This is an expanded presentation of the talk that I gave at EvolverFest 2010. The presentation covers the use of traditional and medicinal herbs in brewing and the basic brewing process.

1. Crafting ModernHerbal Brews Healthy, Unique, Local

2. About Me Eat Local Drink Local Think Local @GeorgiaOrganics @CropMobATL @WholeMind

3. Why I Brew Even local beers aren’t local Get to grow my own ingredients Brew what I want Relive the past Brew as meditation Embark on a new career Simply the best

4. What I Brew Ale, Beer, Wine, Cider Mead I just call them “Brews” Or you can call them all “wine” Natural fermentations

5. Brew History Ancient Brew (10,000 – 30,000 years ago) Not what we know as beer today 100s if not 1,000s 20 different kinds of yeast 15 different sugar sources 200+ different plants

6. Brew Ingredients

7. Types of Herbs Used Use what you like Different herbs have different properties Some are multipurpose None as versatile as hops

8. Brewing Properties of Herbs Bittering Horehound, sage, dandelion, alecost, milk thistle, nettle, yarrow, gentian, clary sage and betony Flavoring Juniper, spruce, rosemary, hyssop, borage, ginger, oregano, mints, bee balm, lemon balm, sweet woodruff, marjoram, elecampane, licorice, and thyme Aromatic Rosemary, hyssop, lavender, chamomile, lemon balm, bee balm, elder flowers, and many others

9. Health Benefits Honey, barley, grapes and other fruits all have medicinal qualities The effects of most herbs are dramatically increased when included in a fermenting beverage.

10. Brewing Simplified Start small (1-gallon batches) Pick a sugar source Malted grain, malt extract, white or brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, molasses, etc. Pick some brewing herbs bitterness, flavor, aroma Skip the chemicals and additives Hot water and soap work fine Or use a strong tea made with antiseptic herbs Reuse yeast like a sourdough starter

11. Brewing Pointers Have fun Experiment Don’t ever think you don’t know enough Figure out what works for you If you screw up a batch It makes great fertilizer for the garden It’s not that expensive You can always make more

12. Further Reading Folksy Brews (www.folksybrews.com) Wild Fermentation The Homebrewer’s Garden Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers Making Wild Wines and Meads Radical Brewing

13. Local Brewing 101 Classes July 17 The Sun Dog Famers at Skip’s Garden (Douglasville, GA) September 4, October 9, December 4 Oakhurst Community Garden(Decatur, GA)