Goji Beery

Now that the brewery is up and running and have our three main beers in full production, we wanted to stretch a bit and try a few new beers. While wandering through the different markets in Singapore I ran across these bright red Chinese berries . I really liked the taste and thought they would go nicely in a beer (and maybe turn it pink). After talking to some of the vendors I found out that Goji berries were very popular. There are several names for these little red guys; Goji, Wolfberry, Matrimony Vine, Boxthorn and Lycium barbarum.

They are suppose to do a whole host of good things for the body including (but not limited to) lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, cleanse the blood,increase eye sight, be anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and help in the treatment of - skin rashes, psoriasis, allergies, insomnia, chronic liver disease, diabetes, tuberculosis, any eye problem at all, plus put the led back in your pencil (and they taste good too).

On top of all that Goji Berries contain 18 amino acids (six times higher than bee pollen), more Beta Carotene than carrots, more iron than spinach, and 21 trace minerals, Vitamins B1, B2, B6, and E , they contains 500 times more Vitamin C by weight than oranges and are 13% protein (higher than whole wheat)

Damn, now that's some kind of berry.

So of course we wanted to use it in a beer. The Goji berry's flavor lies somewhere between a cranberry and a cherry, but there is more going on there, hints of leather, and they remind me some of the Hawaiian 'Ohelo berry. A nice and unusual taste. We designed and brewed a light wheat beer which we infused with rehydrated and blended Goji berries. Sadly it is not bright pink as I had hoped, but the flavor is nice so far (it just finished fermenting). The taste is tangy and a bit tart with a nice bready backbone from the wheat and barley malts. We have high hopes, and why not, it will taste great and be less illing. It should be available at our downtown Archipelago outlet about early/mid October.

We will have at least two more beers by the end of 2006 (and maybe more) so if you are near Boat Quay slip on over to Circular road and try one. And for those of you who don't live in Singapore - well, you had better plan to visit soon (before it is all gone).

I am sorry but I just gotta say it once more - "Taste great, less illing"