A Beer With Mac. As simple as the name may seem, this collaborative wild ale is anything but — it is a humble, layered creation that harnesses the very definition of time, place and season. Crafting the complexities between scientific and naturalistic nuances, is what defines La Sirène and Mac Forbes. Both are intrinsically linked to geography and cultivation, our innate calling to connect on a deeper level with our surroundings.
With La Sirène leaning into their wild bacteria and spontaneous yeast identity, means that not only the site of brewing is important, but also the time of year. The microcosms of the natural and man-made world captured in the very air we breathe, all have a part to play in the unique build of each brew. Time and place is something that the team at La Sirène already have a grasp on, gently nudging it in the direction that amounts to a damn good beer with old-world notes. Time is captured here, making instantaneous histories, and where place is something that is sacred to each bottle, crafting a tangible experience to remember.
“I really love the aromatics of the Gewürztraminer, they are layered and complex, so I really want to try and preserve that in the process. It has a really fine acidity, you can’t suppress that anyway...but we can make sure its in balance. Acidity & balance, and the aromatics preserved. ”
Similarly, Mac Forbes fosters a consideration of time and place. It is in this ethereal space that highlights rich connections to locality and topography, and an understanding of how farming practices can influence site biodiversity and soil health. Capturing time through the microclimates of vines lends itself to a specificity that only Mac Forbes can finesse in their grapes. Creating the space to acknowledge that time in winemaking is something you cannot master without understanding place. Being conscious of their duality, means that Mac Forbes is able to recognise the evolving agricultural and natural identities of place. And as they continue to learn about a deeper connection between their vines, ancient soils and landscape, each grape speaks to the context in which they were grown.
However, there is a third ingredient when considering zymology — seasonality. It is something European eyes are only just starting to understand in the complex landscape of Country, but there is no denying it is intrinsically linked to agriculture. Therefore, it is only natural that La Sirène and Mac Forbes acknowledge its importance when considering wild brews and the cultivation of grapes. When all things are considered, it does beg the question, what does time, place and seasonality look like when the beer and wine worlds collide?
Enter, A Beer With Mac.
Finding a mutual passion for their artisan craftmanship, this collaborative beer straddles the line between both worlds. A timeless barrel-aged sour wild ale by La Sirène that gently welcomes your tastebuds to the Gewürztraminer grapes grown by Mac Forbes — leaving this delicate, golden liquid with a respectful mouth-feel. Mirroring their methodologies, this brew has a gentle touch, keeping the oak notes and vinous texture at the forefront. A Beer With Mac is a fermentationist celebration that is one to share with others. Not only because it is beer that will leave you questioning whether you’re a wine or beer drinker, but because it sparks a bigger conversation about time, place and seasonality.
