Brettanomyces yeast, or “Brett,” is a funky, barnyard-esque wild yeast that is quickly becoming one of the most popular wild yeasts in beer after spending years in relative obscurity. The offbeat yeast first came to prominence in the production of British porters in the 1800s, becoming so popular then that the name Brettanomyces literally translates to “the British yeast,” until it fell into disuse as brewers and beer drinkers grew wary of its wild character. Today Brett is in the midst of a revival, with modern brewers putting it to work on every style they can.
The experimentation swirling around Brett is thrilling, but we figured the time was ripe for a reminder of its days powering rich English porters. The original iteration of Wild Horse was a collaboration between Greg Engert of Bluejacket, Peter Bouckaert of New Belgium Brewing Company and Brooklyn Brewery Brewmaster Garrett Oliver, all seeking to revive the intensely earthy flavors of those traditional porters. That version of the beer was brought to the 2014 SAVOR festival, much to the joy of the beer-and-food loving crowd. Fortunately, Wild Horse stuck in Garrett’s mind, and now it’s thundering back for you to get your share.
Wild Horse Porter re-joins us as a limited edition draft-only Brewmaster’s Reserve release. The full Brett fermentation strikes fast as hay-forward funk wafts from the glass, preceding flavors of dark chocolate, coffee, fresh fruit and caramel. It’s a complex, full-bodied beer that is still approachable to even those unfamiliar with Brettanomyces. When you encounter it, take your chance to ride on the wild side with us. Wild Horse Porter won’t be around for long.