Beer that uses herbs or spices does not exist in Japan. In Japan, a beer that uses herbs or spices can’t label itself as beer, even if it uses 100% malt. It has to be called happôshu (“low-malt beer” or “sparkling liquor”). So according to Japanese law, the bulk of “Belgian beer culture” is “Belgian happôshu culture,” and that’s just wrong. Belgian beer made the use of herbs and spices in beer celebrated around the world after all! What a travesty.

And so with that, I thought to write about herb and spice for this column. Herbs and spices were used in beers instead of hops before the Czechs began adding hops to beer. It was thought that spices had therapeutic effects, such as warming the body and curing digestive ailments.

Nowadays, there are a lot of unique beers being made that use a variety of herbs and spices. Hoegaarden White and other Belgian-style white ales, for example, used dried orange peels and coriander. The coriander isn’t used to give it aroma; rather, it’s use as an ingredient developed in regions where there weren’t abundant hop harvests and brewers needed something else to provide bitterness.

This may shock some, but there are even beers that use capsicum (chili pepper)! Yokohama Brewery made a spicy beer with habaneros, and in Oregon, Rogue Ale made a beer using chipotles (smoke-dried jalepeños).

Nutmeg, used with chicken or to mask fish odor, is also frequently incorporated into beer recipes. Careful, though; mix in too much and rumors says that you may be afflicted with spasms or delirium. Numerous breweries release seasonal pumpkin beers in October and November. One ingredient that is an absolute must for pumpkin ales is cinnamon.

Christmas is on the horizon and with it comes Christmas ale. One of the more famous of these has got to be Anchor Brewing’s “Anchor Special Ale.” Every year since 1975, Anchor has been using a different recipe. “What’s this year going to be like?” “Hey, is it me or does this year’s have chamomile in it?” “Yeah, and cinnamon, too.” It’s anyone’s guess and that’s part of the fun. One more thing to look forward to with this beer is the label. Its Christmas design is different every year, but definitely puts you in the mood for Christmas.

From Halloween to Christmas, this season is all about herb and spice ales! What kinds of spicy ales are you going to encounter this year? Drink away and discover.

by Kido Hirotaka

This article was published in Japan Beer Times # () and is among the limited content available online. Order your copy through our online shop or download the digital version from the iTunes store to access the full contents of this issue.