Smog City has debuted a new small batch series by the name of the Forager Series.
The first beers came out this time last month and are “based on the hunt for natural ingredients found and foraged around LA, the Forager Series uses hand harvested fruits and herbs to create unique beers that put a spin on traditional styles.” I missed the first couple (see below) and since these beers are brewed in very small batches they are only available in their taproom in Torrance.
And you can be a part of the beer, “We look forward to expanding this series and further exploring what LA has to offer in terms of ingredients. In the future we plan to brew larger batches for the Forager Series so if you are interested in helping out we’re looking for you!
We’ll send out requests as the recipes develop via the newsletter and of course, if you have an overabundance of fruits, herbs, peppers or the like please email laurie@smogcitybrewing.com and we might just design a recipe around it!”
Fennel Of Love- 5%abv
Sunday we will be tapping our 80 Shilling Scotch Ale brewed with fennel flowers harvested by Porter from wild growing fennel in Playa Vista. These flowers are not to be confused with fennel seed or fennel pollen, the flowers impart a subtly sweet anise character into a lightly malted and fruity beer. The result is a subtle licorice and fruity aroma balanced by a smooth crisp and lightly malty beer ending in the perfect amount of roast character thanks to the midnight wheat for added balance.
King Kumquat- Saison with Kumquats (tbd)abv
In the works and soon to be released is our second in the Forager Series, King Kumquat. Laurie harvested 60lbs of kumquats from the Porter household kumquat tree thereby leaving Porter and the guys with an excellent excuse to buy an immersion blender. New Toy! They then added the whole pureed kumquats into one of our 50gal stainless steel barrels and topped it up with actively fermenting L.A. Saison. As it has yet to finish out, we will all have to wait and see how the beer will ultimately taste.
Whether you participate or not this is a cool idea and a good way to make creative beers.