Sudan Grass Sorghum Ale

The Dock Street “Sudan Grass” Sorghum Ale is a beer inspired by the traditional fermented sorghum beverages found in Africa. Known as pombe in East Africa, bil-bil in Cameroon, or burukuto in Nigeria, these sorghum “beers” play an important role in African culture, North, South, East, and West; They provide nutritional sustenance, help protect against disease and infection (which are killed off by the alcohol produced during fermentation), and are used in ceremonial practice. Traditionally these beers were not only fermented with cultured yeast but also with souring micro-organisms such as Lactobacillus, although commercial examples tend to be made with just yeast to avoid contamination of other products.

Sorghum is now produced commercially all over the world, but is believed to have been originally cultivated in Sub-Saharan Africa, and perhaps in Yemen and Sudan, around the time of 100 CE, but possibly earlier. This is the only area where it still grows wildly today. Forms of the grain have been dated to around 800-600 BCE. It’s said that the Zulu’s produced and consumed a form of sorghum beer, known as kaffir.

Not only does sorghum have special importance to certain African cultures, but also to people suffering from Celiac disease. It’s one of a few grains that can be used to produce “gluten-free” beer. Other possible brewing grains that don’t contain gluten include buckwheat, rice, corn, millet, and quinoa. Gluten is a combination of gliadin and hordein, proteins found in common grains such as barley, wheat, rye, and oats (and others). The ingestion of gluten proteins triggers an immune response within the small intestine of people suffering from the disease. There’s no cure other than to avoid foods made with products that contain gluten.

Our American take on the tradition was fermented with gluten-free yeast, and was made from a combination of sorghum and house-toasted organic buckwheat (toasted in our own wood-fired brick oven). Like it’s traditional counter-parts, Sudan Grass Ale is high in protein, and served unfiltered leaving its natural cloudy appearance. The buckwheat contributes a tad of color and adds subtle complexity to the flavor. Slightly tart and fruity, Sudan Grass Ale flavor is almost more reminiscent of a cider than beer. All Centennial hops were used for an added American twist, bringing the final bitterness to 14 IBU’s. Dock Street Brewing Co is very proud to debut this unique Sudan Grass Ale.