For this two part mini series, we also decided to play with ingredients from a ilttle further afield. For the first of the two, we looked yonder south, with the addition of hibiscus.

As a base for the beer, we aimed for a white IPA, with high amounts of wheat adding to the body for a creaminess that can help to smooth out the sharper elements of the hibiscus. Knowing that hibiscus contributes a bitterness, we went light on the bitterness from the hops, and instead went for hops more soft and tropical in nature.

We thought it better to layer the notes in a way that could complement the complexity of the flower, and went for Rakau, Kohia Nelson, Mosaic and Luminosa. Rakau adds a tropical stone fruit character, Kohia Nelson brings passion fruit, and Mosaic offers berry and melon, with Luminosa rounding everything out with peach, mango and marionberry. Hibiscus was added twice, some on the hot side at the tail end, limiting the contact time with the beer to avoid astringency, and then finally we added some on the cold side to contribute more of the flowery aroma and the pink hue. The result is a beer that both looks and tastes like a perfect beer for summer weather!