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Spruce Beer


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#1 SKubrick

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Posted 25 September 2018 - 12:47 PM

I just heard about this. I'd never heard of a "Spruce Beer" before, but apparently it was popular in the Americas in the 1700's and 1800's. You make it with spruce needles harvested when they're young and supple. They're the fermentable in it, rather than barley. Apparently it's good. Anyone ever tried a batch? I'm very curious to try one.



#2 jayb151

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Posted 25 September 2018 - 01:15 PM

 They're the fermentable in it, rather than barley. Apparently it's good. Anyone ever tried a batch? I'm very curious to try one.

I'm not sure you have that part right. If I'm remembering right, it's more that spruce ws laid down in the mash as a filter or something to that effect. I'm sure someone will come along and correct me. 



#3 positiveContact

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Posted 25 September 2018 - 01:38 PM

Right, I can't imagine those needles would convert since they aren't the seed of the tree.

#4 Genesee Ted

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Posted 25 September 2018 - 01:53 PM

Maybe try one of those newly available strains where the temperature doesn’t matter. IIRC, those yeasts supposedly came from a spruce beer brewing tradition.

#5 Big Nake

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Posted 25 September 2018 - 01:59 PM

AFAIK, it's a beer made in the standard way and then spruce tips are used to flavor the beer.  There are numerous videos and I found a recipe HERE.  I believe many of these start as dark beers that are low on hops on purpose so the spruce can come out and then the spruce flavor is added towards the end of the process.  In one of the vids I just watched the guy picked fresh spruce tips from a tree on his property, added them to a pot of water and brought the heat up to release the spruce flavor and aroma.  Then he strained out the liquid (leaving the spruce tips behind) and added the liquid to the beer.  Let us know if you make it.  



#6 Poptop

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Posted 25 September 2018 - 02:04 PM

Like using Juniper twigs and stems.  I can see attempting something like this on a small scale.  For those who dig on the dank hops this could be a cool experiment.  5 gallons?  prolly not.



#7 neddles

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Posted 25 September 2018 - 02:52 PM

You’ll be waiting for spring to get those fresh spruce tips. Unless, of course, you are in the southern hemisphere. Do report back if you make one.

#8 SKubrick

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Posted 25 September 2018 - 03:25 PM

I just heard about this. I'd never heard of a "Spruce Beer" before, but apparently it was popular in the Americas in the 1700's and 1800's. You make it with spruce needles harvested when they're young and supple. They're the fermentable in it, rather than barley. Apparently it's good. Anyone ever tried a batch? I'm very curious to try one.

 

Yes, my bad. They used molasses mostly for the sugar. 



#9 EnkAMania

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Posted 27 September 2018 - 08:17 AM

I fell in love with spruce beers visiting Alaska.  I talked to a brewer and he said two handfuls thrown in the boil with 10 minutes to go.



#10 SKubrick

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Posted 28 September 2018 - 01:34 AM

So, it's a replacement for hops?



#11 positiveContact

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Posted 28 September 2018 - 04:04 AM

So, it's a replacement for hops?

 

I don't know for sure but I think that would make a lot of sense.



#12 HVB

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Posted 28 September 2018 - 04:45 AM

So, it's a replacement for hops?

That is what it says here

 

"Use Like Hops

You can use spruce tips much like you would use any hop. Add fresh tips, and possibly small cut twigs and branches to pickup more of the earthy bitter resin, to different parts of your boil. Then add fresh spruce tips only, to the end of the boil for aroma additions."



#13 positiveContact

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Posted 28 September 2018 - 05:51 AM

That sounds pretty cool

#14 HVB

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Posted 28 September 2018 - 06:02 AM

That sounds pretty cool

Spruce tips combined with some Chinook could make a really nice beer IMO.



#15 positiveContact

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Posted 28 September 2018 - 06:11 AM

Maybe a smoked Porter with spruce tips? Camping beer!

#16 HVB

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Posted 28 September 2018 - 06:14 AM

Maybe a smoked Porter with spruce tips? Camping beer!

I could get behind that!



#17 armagh

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Posted 28 September 2018 - 06:38 AM

Many years ago a brewing friend and I made a spruce beer using spruce extract that we mail-ordered from a HB store.  Don't know if it's still available. 




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