East Tennessee’s Blackberry Farm Brewery has already established itself as a business that places quality as a top priority. Innovation and creativity are also important virtues at Blackberry Creek and one clear advantage this brewery has to other breweries is its large amount of land. The farm’s 4,200 acres are vastly larger than those of most breweries and with that added space and natural vegetation comes plenty of wild yeast, perfect for brewing beers of distinction.
Blackberry farm’s wild yeast strains are carefully handled by South Yeast Labs and they have inspired the creation of a new lineup of beers, the Native Yeast Series. Two unique strains of yeast have already been put to good use in the creation of a pair of new beers: Tennessee Cream Ale and Blackberry Rye. Blackberry Farm Chief Fermentation Officer Roy Milner says these beers are great representatives of the unique climate and geography common to the East Tennessee region and Appalachian Mountains.
“We are excited to share these beers that begin to tell the story of place and terroir,” said Milner. “Native yeasts, inspiration from ingredients and experiences of living in the Foothills give these bottlings a special place in our portfolio. Blackberry Rye shows off a fruit we use often, a grain frequently found in whiskey and yeast harvested from honeysuckle that borders our orchards. Tennessee Cream Ale is a complex and delicate journey through corn and how the soft, sweet flavors add nuance to our style of brewing.”
Blackberry Rye, a farmhouse ale, is brewed using select heritage barley and rye malts. The beer is then fermented using a wild strain of native yeast gathered and harvested from the honeysuckle blossoms found at Blackberry Farm. To add to the depth of flavor and strengthen the character, the beer is fermented a second time with blackberries, then aged in Tennessee whiskey barrels. The result is a medium- bodied ale with flavors of dark fruit and oak and a malty base.
Tennessee Cream Ale is a completely different type of beer, but still one brewed with influence from the adjacent lands. This beer is light golden in color and is brewed using flaked corn and heirloom grits. The beer is then fermented using a different strain of wild yeast, resulting in a medium to light bodied beer with a delicate body and hint of corn sweetness. The snappy beer has a crisp, refreshing finish, perfect for a warm day.
Blackberry Rye and Tennessee Cream Ale are the first two beers in the Native Yeast Series, but they are certainly not the last. Blackberry Farm Brewery plans to release at least two more beers over the next few months as Buckwheat Strawberry (August) and Roasted Cherry Stout (October) are added to the ranks. Stay tuned to Great Beer Now for more information on this innovative brewery and be sure to visit http://www.blackberryfarm.com/brewery for official information.
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