It's a tree. Found in Australia. Aborigines have been milling its seeds for bread for centuries. Today, pastry chefs use it to add a nutty kick to ice cream, chocolate, whipped crème and sauces. Australian-based Baron's Brewing is the first to use the wattle seed to flavor beer. And I'm glad they did.

Their Black Wattle Superior is a dark amber brown malt with a natural caramel and chocolate flavor. The addition of the wattle seeds gives it a hazelnut and coffee punch, resulting in a smooth beer with a ton of taste. One that has a story you can tell while you pour her one after dinner.

And while it used to be that only Aussies could enjoy some Black Wattle Superior - while laughing at us gullible Americans for drinking the crappy Fosters they pawned off on us - as of last month it's available in the US. (Insert "So throw another shrimp on the barbie and crack open a cold one" cliché here.)

www.baronsbrewing.com