Spruce tip pale ale recipe help.

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by TheGr8Sarcasmo, May 31, 2015.

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  1. TheGr8Sarcasmo

    TheGr8Sarcasmo Initiate (0) Apr 3, 2015 Indiana

    I also just harvested a pints worth of spruce tips a few moments ago. Though mine are nearing the end of what I would call "Tender."

    I really want to make a pale ale using spruce tips and grains of paradise but i am struggling with hops. I tend to go for more balanced beers with my IPAs being a little to the fruit/tropical side. Any input would be appreciated in recipe and/or process. Real quick I have a couple of ideas on grain bill.


    (Grain Bill #1)
    90 min boil

    70% 2-row
    10% golden naked oats
    10% caramel 20
    6% biscuit (because I have some sitting around)
    4% carapils

    or

    (Grain Bill #2)
    90 min boil

    55% pilsner
    30% Maris otter
    5% Golden Naked Oats
    10% caramel 20

    Now for hops I am thinking

    .5oz magnum at 90 mins
    .25 Centennial at 40
    .25 nelson at 30
    .25 centennial at 20
    .25 nelson at 10
    .75 simcoe at 5

    Flameout - whirpool for 15 mins
    1 oz grains of paradise
    Spruce tips (maybe 8 oz)

    Drop temp to 175

    Whirpool at 175-165 for 30 mins
    2 oz centennial

    Like I said. I'm kind of hung up on the hops, I am tempted to scratch the simcoe and centennial and go full Nelson, then again I'm tempted to drop the nelson and go centennial/simcoe. I'm really not sure what hops will compliment the grains of paradise and spruce tip flavors and aroma. Also, not sure these two things go together. Looking for contructive feedback, and as always thanks for the help.
     
    #1 TheGr8Sarcasmo, May 31, 2015
  2. HerbMeowing

    HerbMeowing Maven (1,295) Nov 10, 2010 Virginia
    Trader

    <=== knows nuttin'bout pair of dice grains.

    Spruce pungency will dominant flavor and aroma.
    Bitter with a 'clean' hi-alpha hop.
    Other hops need not apply.

    Spruce is a brute.
    Easy does it.
     
    #2 HerbMeowing, May 31, 2015
  3. MrOH

    MrOH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,995) Jul 5, 2010 Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    An ounce of grains of paradise is a LOT. Even 1/4oz is more than most people would use. I would back it down to 3-4g, and that would still be pretty pronounced.

    I agree with @HerbMeowing above.
     
    #3 MrOH, May 31, 2015
  4. pweis909

    pweis909 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,250) Aug 13, 2005 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    Was just thinking about spruce beer too, because the tips are tender and aromatic on the trees by my house. But I just don't think this is a flavor I want to drink in a beer, so will pass on the opportunity.
     
    #4 pweis909, May 31, 2015
  5. HerbMeowing

    HerbMeowing Maven (1,295) Nov 10, 2010 Virginia
    Trader

    FWIW ... I used northern brewer @ 60 ... 30 ... 20 ... and 10 minutes for 40 IBUs in a 1.054 wort.
    Bulk of spruce tips at 15 and small charge at 2 minutes.

    There was a decent discussion on spruce ales back in 2011.
    Too bad it was lost to the ages when BA updated the forum's platform.
     
    #5 HerbMeowing, May 31, 2015
  6. utahbeerdude

    utahbeerdude Maven (1,374) May 2, 2006 Utah

    I, too, recently harvested some spruce tips. If you chew the spruce tips, their flavor is not quite what you might think. I get a bit of citrus along with the spruceness. FWIW, my tree is a Norway Spruce.

    I don't think grains of paradise wouldn't be a good match.

    I think piney/citrus hops might complement the tips: these could range from Cascade to Simcoe to Citra, I think. I would go fairly easy on the hops.

    I do want to eventually use them (they are vacuum packed in the freezer at present). I'm thinking maybe an American Wheat might be a good base style. I'm still contemplating this, though.

    @HerbMeowing: how much spruce did yo use in your beer? What was the base style?

    Cheers!
     
    #6 utahbeerdude, May 31, 2015
  7. TheGr8Sarcasmo

    TheGr8Sarcasmo Initiate (0) Apr 3, 2015 Indiana

    So, would yall recommend punching grains of paradise down to 1/2 oz and spruce tips to 4?

    @utahbeerdude are you saying yes to the combo or no? The double negative threw me.

    Which of the grain bills do you think would work best?

    Also, any hop recommendations from anyone's?
     
    #7 TheGr8Sarcasmo, May 31, 2015
  8. HerbMeowing

    HerbMeowing Maven (1,295) Nov 10, 2010 Virginia
    Trader

    Batch size: 2.5G
    1 loosely packed dry QT @ 15' + 2 oz. @ 2' (new growth tips; lime green; ~6wks old IIRC)
    Would halve those amounts on a do-over as the original additions produced too much flavor.

    Grain bill:
    90% 2-row Brewer's malt
    5% white wheat
    5% 20L

    WLP002
    Wasn't treating my water at the time.
     
    #8 HerbMeowing, Jun 1, 2015
    utahbeerdude likes this.
  9. utahbeerdude

    utahbeerdude Maven (1,374) May 2, 2006 Utah

    Sorry, I meant to say "I don't think grains of paradise would be a good match."
     
    #9 utahbeerdude, Jun 1, 2015
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