Buy Elixir by Baladin: the Belgian amber beer with whisky yeast
If you love complex, warm, and enveloping beers, Elixir by Baladin is one of the most extraordinary experiences in Italian craft beer. Since 2004, this Belgian-style amber beer has captivated with a very rich bouquet: date, vanilla, candied orange, white chocolate, dried fruit. The secret? A "house" yeast isolated from Scottish whisky fermentations. Available online at Maltese with shipping throughout Italy.
Why Elixir is a unique beer
- Scottish whisky yeast: Teo Musso searched long for a "house" yeast strain — he found it in Scottish whisky fermentations, giving Elixir an unrepeatable character
- Extraordinary aromatic profile: biscuit, date, vanilla, candied orange, white chocolate, dried and dehydrated fruit
- Belgian style: top fermentation, full body, balanced sweetness, and the aromatic complexity typical of great Belgian beers
- Perfect for cold months: a warm and enveloping sip, ideal for autumn and winter
Tasting notes
Elixir appears amber, with copper reflections and a creamy foam. The complexity is immediate on the nose: notes of biscuit and malt, then date and dried fruit, vanilla, candied orange, and a touch of white chocolate. On the palate, it is full-bodied, with balanced sweetness and a long, spicy finish. A contemplative beer to enjoy slowly.
How to produce a Belgian-style amber beer
- Malts: 70% Pale Ale malt, 15% Munich or Vienna, 10% Caramel/Crystal 80, 5% Biscuit or Special B for biscuity and fruity notes
- Candied sugar: 0.5–1 kg to increase strength and add caramel and fruit notes
- Hops: delicate varieties (Hallertau, Styrian Golding) for a balanced and non-intrusive bitterness
- Yeast: Belgian Ale strain with fruity esters — in Elixir’s case, the Scottish whisky yeast is the true star
- Maturation: weeks of conditioning to develop aromatic complexity
Food pairings
Elixir pairs perfectly with:
- Aged and blue cheeses (Gorgonzola, Roquefort)
- Braised meats and winter stews
- Dark chocolate desserts, dried fruit cakes, panettone
- Foie gras and pâté
- Artisanal snacks and cured meats for a characterful aperitif
How to serve Elixir
- Temperature: 10–12 °C to enhance aromatic complexity
- Glassware: tulip glass or Belgian goblet — discover tasting glasses on Maltese
- Pouring: slowly, tilted, to preserve the creamy foam
Buy Elixir and Baladin beers on Maltese
Elixir by Baladin is available online at Maltese with shipping throughout Italy. Perfect on its own, as a gift, or in a tasting box with other Belgian and amber beers.
