Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Brewery to create buzz with ‘wasp yeast’ beer
AN experimental Somerset brewer has revealed a new beer that has a sting in the tail – as it is made with “wasps’ yeast”.
The Wild Beer Co, based near Shepton Mallet, has unveiled its latest wacky creation.
The brewers are now selling Enso, a beer made with wasps’ yeast and apricots.
The 5% concoction took “years of research” to get right, the head brewer at the firm has said.
It joins many other alternative beers from The Wild Beer Co, including cherry beer, chocolate beer and caramel milk stout.
Enso is unveiled as the company celebrates its tenth birthday with a box of ten special beers, costing £74.99.
The company said: “When putting together our new tenth anniversary box we really wanted to make some unusual and unique beers to push ourselves and the perceptions of what craft beer is and can be.
“In the constant pursuit of exploring wild, natural yeasts and discovering their potential, an idea to make a beer from wasps’ yeast was proposed!
“This kind of project is what we are all about, so it had to be investigated. Wasps are proven to play a significant part in the preserving of wild yeast throughout the colder months, and then helping to reintroduce it back into the wild when spring arrives.
“After much research and discussions with relevant people and entomologists, we managed to harvest a wild yeast from an abandoned wasps’ nest which was found on the farm next to the brewery. It has been harvested over the last five months and then
finally used to produce this wonderful beer.
“Fresh apricots have also been added to bring a delicious and fresh note to the beer, and one that compliments to a sweet natural honey flavour created by the wild yeast. This is truly a one-off beer that pushes the boundaries, and defines our way of thinking – ‘discover flavour by nature’.”
Enso is an old Zen word and means “a circle that is hand-drawn in one or two uninhibited brushstrokes to express a moment when the mind is free to let the body create”. The word is also meant to represent the cyclic nature of life, and that energy is not lost but passed on.
Russ Sykes, lead brewer at The Wild Beer Co, added: “This has been the most involved beer I have ever made, and also the most enjoyable. It has taken a number of years to research, but all worth it.”