"Joe, what's that you're having to drink?"
"Well folks, I'm having a Guttsta Källa julmust."
"???"
"Research, gang, research."
Apparently, must, whether sold as julmust, påskmust, or just must, is a Swedish soda or soft drink flavored with hops and malt extract... yes, that's exactly what you think it's supposed to be: a beer-flavored soda. Er... Sean, can you guys get to work on this? Or maybe Seth can crank one out at BCB&B in a few months. ;)
One might expect must to taste like a non-alcoholic beer, but it doesn't taste much like that to me. I guess it just tastes like must. ;) Some folks describe it as being like root beer. I'd say this one tastes more like birch beer, only a lot less sweet, or perhaps something with a slight cherry flavor....
Anyway, the big season for must is apparently Jul, i.e. Yule, or Christmas. It outpaces Coke as a soda in Sweden around Christmas, according to Kristall, who also make a julmust. But it sells all year; during non-holidays, it's just must.
"But Joe, why?"
"Folks, do I really need a reason? OK, fine! He was always my favorite! I want to get closer to him, and I... oh, just go away and leave me alone!"
;)
Merry Christmas, folks. You've got a week to get ready, if you're the gettin'-ready type.
Well, you can get something similar here ( linked below ). I don't think it's carbonated though. Oddly, must is the juice that becomes wine in English, while beer is made from wort. Anyhow, here ya goya..............
http://www.goya.com/english/product_subcategory/Beverages/Malta
Posted by: Keith | 20 December 2010 at 08:31 AM
BTW, easy enough to make, just don't add yeast to your wort.
Posted by: Keith | 20 December 2010 at 08:32 AM
OK, after about 10 minutes of thinking about it, I could totally make this with endless possiblities. From scratch ( whole, malted barley ), flavored as you wish, whatever combo of malt and hops you'd like, and served carbonated on draft.
Posted by: Keith | 20 December 2010 at 08:56 AM
Keith -- I linked up the URL for you.
I wonder if they have Malta at Compare?
Posted by: Joe Eater | 20 December 2010 at 04:33 PM