Days of the Beer, February 21

The beer for today is War Horse Brewing Company Riesling Ale.

On February 21, 1554, Hieronymus Bock died (he was born sometime in 1498). Bock was a German botanist, physician, and Lutheran minister. He began the transition from medieval botany to the modern scientific worldview by arranging plants by their relation or resemblance.

He wrote the book Kruetterbuch (plant book) in 1539. His objective was to describe German plants, including their names, characteristics, and medical uses. He developed his own system to classify 700 plants. He traveled widely through the German region observing the plants for himself.

The book was illustrated in 1546. Bock is noted for being the first person to document the use of the word Riesling in 1552.

As to the beer:

The first beer of it's kind! We actually blended pure NY riesling juice with an American wheat beer and came up with something truly unique. The nose starts out a bit grapey and spicy, while the flavor is a subtle blend of white wine and malt. We kept the color and body light; really light and ramped up the carbonation level to bring out the fruity aromas. This is the perfect beer for those hot, Western NY summer days we all know and adore. Brewed with Pale, Wheat, and CaraPils Malts. Hopped withCentennial and Mt. Hood. Alc. 4.5% by volume.

The beer is 4.5% ABV.

War Horse Brewing Company is located in Seneca Lake New York. It is a subsidiary company to Three Brothers Wineries and Estates.