Star Anise or Brewer's Licorice?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by jbakajust1, Aug 8, 2013.

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  1. jbakajust1

    jbakajust1 Pooh-Bah (2,552) Aug 25, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    If I wanted to brew an Imperial Stout with some licorice notes in it, would it be best to use Star Anise or Brewer's Licorice? And how much?

    This stout will be about 9.5%, FG around 1.023, IBUs about 65. It will have orange peel as well as Bourbon Oak aging.
     
    #1 jbakajust1, Aug 8, 2013
  2. MMAJYK

    MMAJYK Initiate (0) Jun 26, 2007 Georgia

    I like licorice in mine. 1 stick for 5 gallons and 2 for 10. Orange peel?
     
    #2 MMAJYK, Aug 9, 2013
  3. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,635) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    A Baltic Porter that did very well in competitions had 2 Star anise for 10 gallons.
     
    #3 hopfenunmaltz, Aug 9, 2013
  4. jbakajust1

    jbakajust1 Pooh-Bah (2,552) Aug 25, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    Orange peel or zest. I did a small second runnings stout from my Imp 2 years ago with orange and liked it. Kind of a chocolate orange thing. I am also drawing some inspiration from Deschutes Abyss and BBXXIV. Orange, licorice, bourbon, coffee, chocolate, toffee.
     
    #4 jbakajust1, Aug 9, 2013
  5. benidy

    benidy Initiate (0) May 4, 2008 Missouri

    Be careful if you choose star anise. I used 7 stars in an American Stout, which didn't amount to much in weight, but it completely overwhelmed the beer. I should have drain poured.
     
    #5 benidy, Aug 9, 2013
  6. MMAJYK

    MMAJYK Initiate (0) Jun 26, 2007 Georgia

    I use Star Anise in some of my Belgians. I agree with benidy, err on the side of caution if you use it. I only use a few stars for 10 gallons (maybe 1/4 oz) and while you pick it up pretty easily while it's young, it fades out and rounds out over time.

    Licorice is a fuller, rounder flavor and works well with a ton of dark malt.
     
    #6 MMAJYK, Aug 9, 2013
  7. jlpred55

    jlpred55 Initiate (0) Jul 26, 2006 Iowa

    I used licorice stick as well, but I've never used a whole stick, half is usually all I use. It is subtle but nice with the 1.2 pounds of black patent I use in my house stout.
     
    #7 jlpred55, Aug 9, 2013
  8. geocool

    geocool Savant (1,233) Jun 21, 2006 Massachusetts

    How about you just blend in some Sambucca before bottling? Or blend it in the glass instead.
     
    #8 geocool, Aug 9, 2013
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