My Christmas tree is, unfortunately, in its last days. But despite turning dry and brittle, it remains deliciously fragrant. I love that scent so much, but even I'm on the fence about spruce beer. Have you ever tried it?
According to The Salt, needles, shoots, light-green tips and inner bark of spruce trees can be used to brew evergreen-scented tea, soft drinks and beer—and have been for centuries! The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America notes that spruce beer was common among ancient Scandinavians and their Viking descendants, who drank the beer "for strength in battle, for fertility and to prevent scurvy on long sea voyages."
The first known recipe for spruce beer can be traced to American Cookery: Or the Art of Dressing Viands, Fish, Poultry and Vegetables, by Amelia Simmons, published in 1796. But not one to let bygones be bygones, craft breweries are reviving the spruce beer, writes The Salt, and "blending it with ingredients like molasses to mellow the flavor and create that 'Christmas tree in a glass' sensation.
Have you ever tried spruce beer or made your own?
Read More: Don't Waste That Christmas Tree: Turn It Into Spruce Beer | The Salt
Related: Hops Fatigue: What's Next for Craft Beer?
(Image: Gourmet Underground Detroit)
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Short's (brewery in Michigan) made a fantastic one last winter.
Harpoon made a "Vermont Spruce Tip" ale as part of the 100 Barrel series that was totally awesome.
I tried spruce beer once, but didn't like it (a friend had bought some). Mind you, I would probably never describe a tree as *deliciously* fragrant.
I know too many folks who get contact dermatitis from brushing against spruce (hence, I'm the one who gets to prune the big one at the end of my driveway) -- this would probably cause such massive throat sores, it's scary.
There's a phenomenal spruce tip beer at this place: http://www.skagwaybrewing.com/home.html
It's an acquired taste. Let's jus say I never made a second attempt at acquiring it!
Short's India Spruce Pilsner is fantastic if you enjoy a dry hoppy flavoured beer. The spruce aroma of it is incredible.
I had a spruce stout at Midnight Sun in Anchorage, it was fantastic. Wish we could get it on the east coast!
Not any stranger than root beer or birch beer (Boylan's is nice). Never had it, but I'd like to try one.
I make spruce tip tea and spruce tip jelly in the spring which are delicious! I also make a non-alcoholic beer with fresh juniper berries. I'll have to try the spruce tips in the spring...
My favorite is Prune the Big One Spruce Ale by Massive Throat Sores Brewing Co.
@joelfinkle: Dermatological allergies don't necessarily translate into internal allergies. I'm severely allergic to the nickel alloyed in almost all metals, so I use plastic handled cutlery, but don't get sores inside my mouth from the metal tines of the fork. Of course, it may not be worth the risk...