Help with gruit ale.

[Sir. Hopsimous]

I plan on brewing a gruit ale and looking for info from folks that has used Mugwort (bittering), Lavender (wp) , and rose hips (wp). Any suggestions on what to expect of flavor, techniques, & amounts would be very helpful.
thanks.

RECIPE:
90MIN BOIL
MASH: 154F
4.5%ABV

Golden Promise 75%
Honey 10% @30min
Honey 10% @5min
Flaked Barley 5%

Mugwort (Bitter)
Lavender (Wp)
Rose Petals (Wp)
Rose petals (DH)
Vanillia (DH)

[Sir. Hopsimous]

No gruit brewers out there?

[Ozwald]

I've done a couple years ago, but more traditional. No experience with those ingredients. Also not quite sure what you're after with the 2 honey additions as listed. The vanilla addition sticks out like a sore thumb; it just doesn't fit in with anything else. Sorry, that's all I got.

[NHbeerscene]

You might want to get a hold of Earth Eagle Brewings (yes it's spelled right) in Portsmouth NH. They opened recently and part of their schedule includes gruits. I had some of their beer at a fest over the summer and they were pretty good. I would think they might be able to steer you in the right direction.

[dmtaylor]

As a first attempt, I think you've got a good recipe there. I too have no idea what the rose petals are going to do for you in a beer -- floral for sure, but not sure if I'd want to be drinking the same smell as my soap. Other than that, go for it. Mugwort is pretty good stuff. So is sweet gale (which you have not listed). I use sweet gale just like a hop in my gruit ale. It's nothing to fear. It doesn't generate bitterness as much as a certain tartness and characteristic gruit flavor. Yarrow is also tart but also provides some bitterness. Expect your gruit ale to be tart. That's what I've learned. It is the tartness and herbal character that balances the sweetness in a gruit.

[captain carrot]

Randy Moshiers book Radical Brewing has some descriptions of herbs and spices but doesn't list quantities for most.
It's a great book if like historical and out of the box brewing.
Sorry not much help. Do a web search for gruit recipes and look at the quantities to get a ballpark idea.
Good luck!

[TheDarkSide]

You might want to get a hold of Earth Eagle Brewings (yes it's spelled right) in Portsmouth NH. They opened recently and part of their schedule includes gruits. I had some of their beer at a fest over the summer and they were pretty good. I would think they might be able to steer you in the right direction.

Second this...Alex and Butch are great guys and I'm sure will be willing to assist.