Wildlife Viewed Through Beer Goggles: Stinging Nettles

My exploration of wildlife-themed beers has stalled a bit recently but here's an interesting example, brewed with additional stinging nettle flavouring, which adds a frisson of excitement to a quiet pint. Here's what the brewer, based at Matfen in Northumberland, says about it:

Nettle Ale 4.5% ABV

This ale can only be produced in the Spring, when the nettles on the farm are at the perfect stage to be picked. Based on a 14th century recipe, this ale is supposed to help the common cold and gout!

I haven't had a cold since I drank this and I haven't got gout (yet), so it clearly does exactly what it says on the bottle.

Stinging nettles are famous for the wealth of wildlife that they support, including numerous insects, of which thetiny  nettle tap moth Anthophila fabriciana (above) is one, currently breeding on the nettles in my garden. 


More wildlife-themed beers here.