As the story goes, in the fall of 2017 Soergel Orchards contacted Strange Roots to see if they had use for some late harvest Gold Rush Apples. Gold Rush apples are a yellow variety, typically with an orange/pink blush, that are known to be very crisp, flavorful and slightly acidic. The farm had a lot more than they expected and had to put them to good use before the first frost.
Strange Roots conducted their mash with malted barley and wheat from their good friends at Appalachian Malting, and used their in house aged hops in the boil. The hot wort was then poured into the coolship on top of the Soergel Farm apples.
The following day, the wort and the apples were transferred into a fermentation vessel where it sat for three days allowing the apples to further soften. The apples were then put through their fruit press which allowed them to collect the juice and add it back to the fermentation vessel.
8 months later Harvesta was born. Using an incredible 10 lbs of apples per gallon, this beer exhibits all the wonderful funky aromas of a Normandy style cider, while maintaining the beautiful terroir of their Gibsonia brewery location.
Aromas of funky, musty, crisp, yellow apple and a slight cheesiness, transcend into an apple skin sweetness before finishing with a dry, chalky tartness.
