Sweet Gale, used by Vikings and for gruit ale, its place in history and folklore.
Description: Myrica Gale is commonly known as bog myrtle or sweet gale, and this site describes it from a botanical point of view.
beer (4801) scottish (1261) botanical (332) beer-making (29) bog myrtle (5) sweet gale (4) gruit ale (2) myrica gale (1)
Myrica gale is deciduous and is a bushy shrub. It grows up to 6 feet tall, though more normally it is about three feet (1 metre) tall. The branches often trail through the grass later in the season as the wind takes it or wildlife bends the branches, and grass and ferns can grow and choke the shrub later in the season. It also seems popular with sheep and deer, and grows better in areas these are kept out. Myrica gale needs damp preferably peaty soils as in peat bogs, and grows better with running water nea
More information and its current uses are on bogmyrtle.com , and sweetgale.com which looks at its place in history (Vikings) and folklore. It also describes its use for gruit ale and beer-making.
Sweet Gale, used by Vikings and for gruit ale, its place in history and folklore.