St Henry 2024: Apricot

August 29, 2024 Topher Boehm

Wildflower St Henry 2024: Apricot is a golden barrel aged ale wholly fermented by a diversity of yeasts and bacteria collected from native flowers in NSW refermented with apricots. It is named for Emily and Chris’ second son. Saint Henry II was a Roman Emperor during the 11th century.

Topher's production notes

In 2024, St Henry was made by blending barrel aged golden mixed culture fermentation ale with 500kg of fresh, hand picked, whole, tree ripened Orange Red apricots from Block 11 Organics in Orange, NSW. After a six month maceration and refermentation of fruit and beer, it was bottled and allowed to naturally carbonate and mature before release.

This was our first year to use organic apricots in Henry, and the first time we were able to work wth Greg Casander from Block 11 Organics for a 'St' beer. Those that attend the Carriageworks farmers markets will know Greg and his produce as that first stall on the Redfern Station end of the markets. A few years ago, Greg took over this apricot orchard and mentioned to me the possibility of dome organic fruit becoming available for this beer. After a false start in 2023 with poor flowering, the 2024 fruit was ours for the taking. I am super pleased with the result of this varietal from this block and have my fingers crossed for a successful '25 growing season.

The base beer is brewed entirely with certified organic cereals from Chris and Sam Greenwood's farm in Coleambally NSW. Organic raw red wheat with organic Schooner barley malted to a pale roast by Voyager Craft Malt. It is made with filtered Sydney water and Motueka (NZ) hops. Finally, it was fermented with our house culture of microflora wholly foraged from native flowers in NSW. It was bottled in June 2024 and naturally conditioned through refermentation for 8 weeks until release. At bottling it was 5.5% ABV and 10.0°P.

The label artwork was done by Henry's auntie, Bernadette.

Tasting notes

The most elegant expression of sweet, rich apricot on the nose. Flesh, skin and stone. A bright floral note reminiscent of chamomile too, and some nutty, woody depth. On the palate it hits straight with ripe, perfumed apricot and follows with a real fruit sweetness making it very full. A delicate acidity keeps it lively and fresh. Such a really very special release of this beer.

Like all our beers, St Henry 2024: Apricot is best enjoyed when decanted off a settled natural yeast sediment at cellar temperatures (10-12°C).

Enjoy.