Ingredient Insight: MadTree Brewing, Cincinnati Flower Show create flower-focused beer

Flowers just make people happier. They’re like sunshine for the soul. We could probably say the same things about beer. A fan of both flowers and beer, MadTree Brewing is ready to double up the soul-tinged sunshine for you and your friends. The Cin city-based brewhouse just announced it was teaming up with the Cincinnati Horticultural Society to create a special limited edition beer for the Cincinnati Flower Show called Hortense. It’s a cool brew with a flavor profile inspired by sweet bouquets and earthy beauty.

“This was a particularly fun beer to make since it required us to think a bit harder about ingredients that come from a flower garden,” said Jeff Hunt, MadTree Brewing co-founder. “The Saison style of beer is a traditional light and refreshing beer that has been enhanced by the nasturtium and cucumber.”

Sounds delish. Hortense is a crisp, 5.1-percent ABV saison ale brewed with nasturtium and cucumbers. The nasturtium flower, grown locally at Carriage House Farms, provides peppery undertones while the cucumber provides a hint of melon to complement the fruity notes already present in the beer.

“We are so excited about Hortense and our partnership with MadTree Brewing,” said JW Fleckenstein, director of The Cincinnati Flower Show. “This great tasting beer is a perfect fit for the show and helps us offer something special that appeals to a broad spectrum of people including young professionals throughout the Cincinnati area.”

A limited amount of 500-milliter bottles were first available for purchase in the MadTree Taproom April 7 at 11 a.m. with a limit of three bottles per person (sorry for the late notice). Representatives from the Flower Show and Spring Fling will be on-site to talk more about the flowers used in Hortense and the many events happening at the show. Hortense bottles will also be available at the Cincinnati Flower Show at Yeatman’s Cove from April 13-17.