Spruce tips in beer

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by NJTransplant, Dec 9, 2014.

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  1. NJTransplant

    NJTransplant Initiate (0) Oct 16, 2014 California

    I was looking over a list of Christmas beers that had come out (This one to be exact: http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2014/12/31-of-the-best-and-worst-christmas-ales.html?a=1) and seeing if there were any I wanted to check out. I saw quite a few stating they used Spruce Tips in the beer to flavor it. This got me thinking, wouldn't this overpower all other tastes in a beer? I had one red ale years ago that tasted the exact same way a Christmas tree smelled, which was a major turn off, and I actually love the smell of Christmas trees (grew up on my grandparents Christmas tree farm and worked on it for years).

    Or are there some that do not overpower the beer and just kind of compliment the flavor? I'd like to try one now since it has been a few years and my taste in beer has changed, but I have not seen any yet.
     
    #1 NJTransplant, Dec 9, 2014
  2. cl3

    cl3 Savant (1,244) Aug 16, 2013 Wisconsin
    Trader

    You'll have to find a Michigan trader, but this one is in season right now and is supposed to be pretty great.
     
    #2 cl3, Dec 9, 2014
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  3. anteater

    anteater Pooh-Bah (1,936) Sep 10, 2012 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Ale Apothecary in Bend, OR brews a beer called Sahati:

    http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/29600/95992/

    A chopped down and hollowed out spruce tree filled with spruce boughs is actually used as the lauter tun during the brewing process. Incredibly unique stuff!
     
    #3 anteater, Dec 9, 2014
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  4. smanson56

    smanson56 Pooh-Bah (2,070) Feb 15, 2014 New Hampshire
    Pooh-Bah

    I had a spruce tip beer locally made on a trip to Skagway Alaska 2 years ago it wasn't overpowering at all it added another distinct taste to the beer am looking forward to a trip back to enjoy another pint.
     
    #4 smanson56, Dec 9, 2014
  5. Sneers

    Sneers Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2009 Pennsylvania

    I remember enjoying Yards' Tavern Spruce ale (supposedly based on Ben Franklin's own recipe). You could definitely taste the spruce, but it wasn't too strong; my friend couldn't place what the flavor was until she realized the label gave it away.
     
    #5 Sneers, Dec 9, 2014
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  6. RobinLee

    RobinLee Maven (1,423) Feb 15, 2012 Wisconsin

    Black Husky's Sproose isn't exactly a Christmas beer, but it is an IIPA with spruce tips. It's really good, not overpowering but a solid presence.
     
    #6 RobinLee, Dec 9, 2014
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  7. MistyS

    MistyS Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2013 Massachusetts

    Rock Art does a Spruce beer. I have a friend who is super into them and brewed his own once, it was really good.
     
    #7 MistyS, Dec 9, 2014
  8. BasterdInABasket

    BasterdInABasket Initiate (0) Nov 8, 2010 Wisconsin

    This stuff is awesome. A lot of spruce and pine sap flavor. Sparkly Eyes is supposed to be the imperial version, haven't tried it yet but will next time I find it fresh.
     
    #8 BasterdInABasket, Dec 9, 2014
  9. Nuggetz

    Nuggetz Initiate (0) Dec 5, 2012 Texas
    Trader

    Damn good DIPA. Simcoe hopped DIPA with spruce tips added in whirlpool.
     
    #9 Nuggetz, Dec 9, 2014
  10. duchessedubourg

    duchessedubourg Savant (1,181) Nov 2, 2007 Vermont

    I've homebrewed a spruce tip golden ale. Fresh, young spruce tips have a lemony flavor. Older ones are more piney. One of my favorite flavors in beers!
     
    #10 duchessedubourg, Dec 9, 2014
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  11. robear

    robear Initiate (0) May 24, 2014 Wisconsin

    I second this. Find a Wisconsin trader and pick this up, along with Sparkly Eyes (basically a barleywine w/ Spruce). Hand harvested spruce tips from the northwoods, no less. Might as well get their pale ale and smoked beer while you're at it.
     
    #11 robear, Dec 9, 2014
  12. WillieThreebiers

    WillieThreebiers Grand High Pooh-Bah (9,203) Apr 26, 2012 Connecticut
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Newburgh has a Winter Spruce Porter that's pretty tasty.
     
    #12 WillieThreebiers, Dec 9, 2014
  13. Hendry

    Hendry Pooh-Bah (1,831) Mar 8, 2013 Vermont
    Pooh-Bah

    Lawson's & Vermont Pub & Brewery did a Spruce Tips IPA collaboration, it was like drinking a Christmas tree.
     
    #13 Hendry, Dec 9, 2014
  14. twb0392

    twb0392 Initiate (0) Aug 1, 2014 Wisconsin

    The alaskan winter is pretty good, and the spruce tips are pretty subtle.
     
    #14 twb0392, Dec 9, 2014
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  15. yemenmocha

    yemenmocha Grand Pooh-Bah (4,116) Jun 18, 2002 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah

    I came to the thread to say Alaskan as well, but they come across prominently to me. Maybe i'm just sensitive to spruce tips.
     
    #15 yemenmocha, Dec 9, 2014
  16. KatieSandblaster

    KatieSandblaster Initiate (0) Nov 10, 2014 Michigan

    I really liked the Shorts Juicy Tree when I had it last year, haven't seen it yet this season
     
    #16 KatieSandblaster, Dec 9, 2014
  17. mudbug

    mudbug Pooh-Bah (1,762) Mar 27, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    Since fresh spruce tips are only available in early summer why would anyone think this is a winter offering? (Likely have no idea where spruce tips come from)
     
    #17 mudbug, Dec 9, 2014
  18. archiebunkerjr

    archiebunkerjr Pundit (910) Oct 25, 2010 Michigan
    Trader

    Short's Spruce Pilsner was very good this past summer. I will be looking for it again next summer.
     
    #18 archiebunkerjr, Dec 10, 2014
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  19. deakin

    deakin Initiate (0) Jul 28, 2014 Michigan

    Second this. This was one of my favorites of the summer. I guess being in northern Michigan makes one adept at mixing spruce tips and beer.
     
    #19 deakin, Dec 10, 2014
  20. Bitterbill

    Bitterbill Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,036) Sep 14, 2002 Wyoming
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I haven't seen you in ages. Maybe I'm not visiting the right forums?
     
    #20 Bitterbill, Dec 10, 2014
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