Wildflower St Phoebe 2023: Mariposa Plum, Moonacres
REGION: Marrickville, NSW
SIZE: 750ml / ABV: 5.7%
St Phoebe is a golden barrel aged ale wholly fermented by a diversity of yeasts and bacteria collected from native flowers in NSW refermented with with plums. It is named for Chris and Emily’s first daughter. Saint Phoebe was a first century deaconess from modern day Greece. In 2023, St Phoebe: Mariposa Plum was made by blending barrel aged golden mixed culture fermentation ale with 144kg of fresh, whole, tree ripened, organic Mariposa plums from Moonacres Farm in Fitzroy Falls, NSW. After a five month maceration and refermentation of fruit and beer, it was bottled and allowed to naturally carbonate and mature before release.
Meesh's tasting notes: This beer showcases the perfect blush pink we've come to expect from the gorgeous Mariposa plums grown out at Moonacres Farm. A dizzying aroma, all candied red fruit and spices. Delicate fruit weight on the palate, sweet plum met with lifted carbonation and a touch of acid that just dances up the side of your tongue. Elegant and delicious.
It's difficult to overstate the impact of Wildflower since its inception only a few years ago in 2017. Hailing from Texas, Topher Boehm has an impressive resume - from Brasserie Thiriez to Jester King to his background in astrophysics - not to mention his unique house yeast. Cultivated from foraged wildflowers native to NSW, think wattle blossoms and banksia, blended with a Belgian saison strain, creating something truly individual which speaks of place. Topher even sprayed the entire brewery with inoculated wort when he moved in, just to make sure everything was literally covered in the house culture.