Brewing with Spruce Tips

[Lisa J]

Our Taproot Veggie Share this week contains "spruce tips" (wild harvested). Have to collect that after work, so I haven't seen them yet...

Now I'm assuming that those are literally the new buds from a spruce tree, and I was wondering what the heck I would do with them. Then it occurred to me that they *might* be interesting in a brew. (I believe Garrison does a spruce beer...)

Anyone else out there using them? A small experimental batch could be in my future...

[pet lion]

I have made pale ale and IPAs with spruce tips the last few years. How much are you getting?

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[Lisa J]

I have made pale ale and IPAs with spruce tips the last few years. How much are you getting?

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Only 45g, but I have no idea how much i would need - wouldn't want the spruce to be overwhelming. I'd love to hear what you've done with the IPA.

[Jimmy]

I have made pale ale and IPAs with spruce tips the last few years. How much are you getting?

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Only 45g, but I have no idea how much i would need - wouldn't want the spruce to be overwhelming. I'd love to hear what you've done with the IPA.

Peter's makes a great spruce beer!

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[Keith]

Use Peter as your resources on this one. I can't think of anyone else with more experience locally off hand for a Spruce IPA.

[spears104]

I make my Black Spruce ale every year or two. Its is a nod to the traditional spruce beer that was produced in the 17 and 1800's. (7%of fermentables are molasses.) 45g of spruce tips at 5 mins left in the boil will give a nice spruciness to the beer. Make sure you get red or black spruce. White spruce smells like cat pee.

[Lisa J]

I make my Black Spruce ale every year or two. Its is a nod to the traditional spruce beer that was produced in the 17 and 1800's. (7%of fermentables are molasses.) 45g of spruce tips at 5 mins left in the boil will give a nice spruciness to the beer. Make sure you get red or black spruce. White spruce smells like cat pee.

LOL! I'll have to ask the fine folks at Taproot what kind of spruce that is before I wind up with a pungent batch of Cat Pee Special!

[Keith]

I make my Black Spruce ale every year or two. Its is a nod to the traditional spruce beer that was produced in the 17 and 1800's. (7%of fermentables are molasses.) 45g of spruce tips at 5 mins left in the boil will give a nice spruciness to the beer. Make sure you get red or black spruce. White spruce smells like cat pee.

LOL! I'll have to ask the fine folks at Taproot what kind of spruce that is before I wind up with a pungent batch of Cat Pee Special!

Ad long as it doesn't taste like piss haha

[MitchK]

Does anyone know where I can buy these? I liked most of what I tasted in the garrison spruce beer but was not a fan of the heavy molasses flavours so I'd like to try them without that.

[Lisa J]

Does anyone know where I can buy these? I liked most of what I tasted in the garrison spruce beer but was not a fan of the heavy molasses flavours so I'd like to try them without that.

I'm willing to bet that there are a crap load of Taproot customers out there who got these this week and don't know WTF to do with them. I will check at the Seaport Market on Saturday. They might have them.

[spears104]

Does anyone know where I can buy these? I liked most of what I tasted in the garrison spruce beer but was not a fan of the heavy molasses flavours so I'd like to try them without that.

Lots of trees around! Get a pair of gloves and pick some! If they are out right now I would be willing to bet they are white spruce. In Cape Breton I don't expect the black spruce tips out until the end of June.