A witbier might not, at first glance, seem like the most obvious choice for a small core range. For the majority of other breweries, a wit is seasonal, swinging back around once, maybe twice a year. Core ranges are, for the most part, a world of hoppy pale Ales and IPAs, a stout or two, and a good, refreshing Lager. But, obviously, we’re not the same as other breweries.

I’d be lying if I said a large part of the motivation behind this beer wasn’t personal taste. I love witbier: beers such as Duration Brewing’s Quiet Song and the inimitable modern classic Allagash White turned me onto a style that has become a firm favourite. I adore the ripe, juicy orange and soft, almost sweet-shop-foam-banana fruit notes, the gentle citrusy spice and the peppery phenolic character. It’s crisp, a little sweet, and endlessly refreshing. And what kind of brewery would we be if we didn’t lead with beers we love?

I believe, too, that witbier has huge potential as a conversion beer. When hospitality re-opens and people can visit bars, pubs, and, importantly, queer venues, we want to be able to present our beers to a broad spectrum of different people. Some of those people, inevitably, may not like beer—or what they see beer as, in a common, one-dimensional misconception of the flavours beer can offer—at all, and some may only like certain styles such as lager or pale ale.

I believe that the low bitterness, bouquet of fruit, and light crispness present within witbier can offer something different to those for whom beer isn’t their favourite, or for whom beer hasn’t yet presented the right combination of flavours. If you’re reading this, and you don’t think you like beer, I would love you to try Flowers. I think it can offer you something that most other beer hasn’t.

In October, whilst working with Cloudwater under our Wayfinder tenure, we brewed a collaboration called Statement of Intent. Statement was, as the name suggests, a flag planted in the ground: this was a beer exemplary of our approach to brewing, and a beer we foresaw as indicative of where we would go as a brewery. A 3.5% witbier, it was brewed as a table beer-strength homage to Allagash White. It was refreshing, gentle in ABV whilst not compromising on flavour, and effortlessly drinkable. It was, in short, wonderful.

Flowers is, in essence, Statement v2. We’ve bumped the ABV to 4%, to make it a little more appealing to everyday drinkers. We’ve increased the hopping rate ever so slightly, to get a touch more bitterness out of those beautiful Saaz and Tettnang hops. We’ve also toned down the curaçao orange peel a little. In short, we’ve taken a beer we loved, and refined it.

Flowers, as well as the other two beers in the core range Tiny Dots and Existence As A Radical Act, will be available on Friday morning, via Cloudwater’s online shop, and from your favourite indie retailer. Join in the conversation using the #QueerBrewingLaunch tag.

Lily — Queer Brewing Founder