If you want to get into brewing historical mead and beers, I highly recommend this book. https://www.amazon.com/dp/0937381667/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_M6EyFbWB2YJ3Q It tells all about gruit and also medieval wedding beer which is yarrow ale. Also white methaglyn, broom ale etc
I picked up this book recently, but haven't had a moment to make anything from it yet. Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers by Stephen Buhner. https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Herbal-Healing-Beers-Fermentation/dp/0937381667?ref=d6k_applink_bb_dls&dplnkId=598b8eaf-ca0b-4325-82cb-bc36e4431953
Just in case you have not heard of this book yet it is great if you are into historic beverages with the use of herbs.
Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers: The Secrets of Ancient Fermentation https://www.amazon.com/dp/0937381667/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_T23FWKNXDJ9JTFKF8GKB
Check out Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers by Stephen Harrod Buhner. He talks about traditional ways of brewing beer. Like in clay pots in the middle if the Amazon. It can be done and has been done for many 1000s of years.
This is what you're looking for
http://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Herbal-Healing-Beers-Fermentation/dp/0937381667
The best collection of intoxicating and medicinal fermented drinks from all over the world. My favorite chapter is entitled "Psychotropic and highly inebriating beers"
closest thing is the kava bar train. kombucha has a refreshing feel.
euphoria is pushing it, have to build on what's there.
if you were interested in alcohol, i would highly suggest buhners book - https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Herbal-Healing-Beers-Fermentation/dp/0937381667 .
but dealing with herbs as mild psychoactives, dont think youll find what youre looking for beyond the plain and simple.
I had a great book on brewing different kinds of beers, wines and various drinks. I lost my copy, but plan to get it again. You might like it, here's the title and author:
by Stephen Harrod Buhner | 1 Dec 1998
Hey guys, I've been brewing Gruit for a couple of months now. Got turned onto it by my neighbor who has been doing it for years. Here is a video of his process Brewing Beer Over A Fire Pit, and we will try to upload more as we go.
The brew bible we are working from is Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers, by Stephen Harrod Buhner. I've been doing research trying to find more information and recipes for gruits, and this book seems to be a major resource for almost everyone. It's also a great read, exploring the history of brewing around the world.
The main reason I love gruit, is that without the hops you don't feel tired or full when drinking it. And with the yarrow and wormwood you get a mild psychotropic effect so you feel pleasant and alert. My friend drinks it every night during the winter because these herbs are used for skin care and drinking a bottle or two a night keeps his skin from cracking when he's working outside the next day.
I'm starting to experiment with new recipes, just tried a sage ale and a ginger beer. Bottling tonight, if there is interest I will post info/pictures.
Stephen Harrod Buhner talks about this in his book
I'm not a super fancy brewer but figured I'd post. This is my second sage brew. First one was a few years ago and I really liked it so I decided to do it again. Basically used the recipe out of this with a few little tweaks.
Starts with 2 oz of fresh sage and one stick of licorice. I then add another 2 oz when I rack to secondary.
This brew has no hops. I used a Briess Golden Light Liquid Malt Extract
Ofcourse you could make it yourself, depending on how aged you want it it can be ready from anywhere between 1 month to a few years. Here is a good link: http://www.bardicbrews.net/. Also wholefood and Central Market have a few varieties. BTW meads are excellent, a superb book on the origines of mead and other indigenous fermentations: Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers
check this out, one of my favorite beer books.. loaded with recipes like this.
http://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Herbal-Healing-Beers-Fermentation/dp/0937381667