Pine needle wine
Moderator: Site Moderator
Pine needle wine
Just knocking up a batch tonight, never done it before. Picked a bunch of ping needles from the forest next door today. adding sugar, raisins and lemon.
As Its an experiment I'm only making 1 gallon. Anyone else tried this? Will report how it goes!!
As Its an experiment I'm only making 1 gallon. Anyone else tried this? Will report how it goes!!
Red sed
likker is quicker
Cranky's spoon-feeding thread: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 5#p7271807
likker is quicker
Cranky's spoon-feeding thread: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 5#p7271807
- der wo
- Master of Distillation
- Posts: 3817
- Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2015 2:40 am
- Location: Rote Flora, Hamburg
Re: Pine needle wine
No. But I did some experimentation with vapor infused needles. Not pine but larch and spruce. It's important, that they are really fresh soft and lime-green. Ripe will taste musty and like bath additive, fresh has fine fruity lemon flavors. Perhaps it's also important, if you ferment the needles. I don't know, if now is the season in NZ for that, in europe I would pick them early may. At this time the spruce needles look like this:
In this way, imperialism brings catastrophe as a mode of existence back from the periphery of capitalist development to its point of departure. - Rosa Luxemburg
Re: Pine needle wine
der wo wrote:No. But I did some experimentation with vapor infused needles. Not pine but larch and spruce. It's important, that they are really fresh soft and lime-green. Ripe will taste musty and like bath additive, fresh has fine fruity lemon flavors. Perhaps it's also important, if you ferment the needles. I don't know, if now is the season in NZ for that, in europe I would pick them early may. At this time the spruce needles look like this:
I tried to pick the softest youngest parts I could, But probably is the wrong season. The wort is made now anyway, tastes quite nice, earthy. Not as much pine coming through as I wanted, but we'll see. I added some ginger, pepper and cinnamon.
Red sed
likker is quicker
Cranky's spoon-feeding thread: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 5#p7271807
likker is quicker
Cranky's spoon-feeding thread: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 5#p7271807
- pythonshine
- Site Donor
- Posts: 737
- Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2015 11:31 pm
- Location: Six miles past crazy!
Re: Pine needle wine
how is your needle wine going?
Keep on keepin
Crankys spoon feedin: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 15&t=52975
Read and live by em: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =35&t=5090
Safety: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 33&t=11187
Crankys spoon feedin: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 15&t=52975
Read and live by em: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =35&t=5090
Safety: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 33&t=11187
Re: Pine needle wine
It went good! Tastes.. christmassy. it didn't ferment completely dry though. Maybe not enough nutrients for the yeast i think. Came out about 11 percent. I definitely recommend it. lovely taste.
Red sed
likker is quicker
Cranky's spoon-feeding thread: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 5#p7271807
likker is quicker
Cranky's spoon-feeding thread: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 5#p7271807
- pythonshine
- Site Donor
- Posts: 737
- Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2015 11:31 pm
- Location: Six miles past crazy!
Re: Pine needle wine
sounds like I have another project lol thanks moered! recipe?
Keep on keepin
Crankys spoon feedin: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 15&t=52975
Read and live by em: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =35&t=5090
Safety: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 33&t=11187
Crankys spoon feedin: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 15&t=52975
Read and live by em: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =35&t=5090
Safety: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 33&t=11187
- thecroweater
- retired
- Posts: 6084
- Joined: Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:04 am
- Location: Central Highlands Vic. Australia
Re: Pine needle wine
what amounts did you use
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Benjamin Franklin
Re: Pine needle wine
Retsina is a Greek wine infused with pine resin. Pretty good
Re: Pine needle wine
I don't think I waged anything because I brew how i cook, off the cuff. Maybe thats why it wasn't perfect
But approximately : 1.5 kg sugar, 1kg raisins, juice from 2 lemons, 1 teabag and however much pine needles I could be bothered picking. I also threw in some nutmeg and cinnamon.
Made a tea from the teabag and needles, added the sugar and juice. strained out, then added the raisins, simmered for a while and threw it into a demijohn.
But approximately : 1.5 kg sugar, 1kg raisins, juice from 2 lemons, 1 teabag and however much pine needles I could be bothered picking. I also threw in some nutmeg and cinnamon.
Made a tea from the teabag and needles, added the sugar and juice. strained out, then added the raisins, simmered for a while and threw it into a demijohn.
Red sed
likker is quicker
Cranky's spoon-feeding thread: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 5#p7271807
likker is quicker
Cranky's spoon-feeding thread: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 5#p7271807
- MichiganCornhusker
- retired
- Posts: 4527
- Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:24 am
Re: Pine needle wine
I try to do a beer every spring with fresh spruce tips.
I use about one quart jar of loosley packed with spruce tips per 5 gallon batch of beer.
Gives it LOTS of sprucey flavor. One of my all time favorites.
I use about one quart jar of loosley packed with spruce tips per 5 gallon batch of beer.
Gives it LOTS of sprucey flavor. One of my all time favorites.
Shouting and shooting, I can't let them catch me...
- ShineonCrazyDiamond
- Global moderator
- Posts: 3434
- Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2014 6:14 pm
- Location: Look Up
Re: Pine needle wine
Hmmm...MichiganCornhusker wrote:I try to do a beer every spring with fresh spruce tips.
I use about one quart jar of loosley packed with spruce tips per 5 gallon batch of beer.
Gives it LOTS of sprucey flavor. One of my all time favorites.
That time of year, I'm listening...care to share. ..?
"Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
- MichiganCornhusker
- retired
- Posts: 4527
- Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:24 am
Re: Pine needle wine
Do it! I think you would really like it.ShineonCrazyDiamond wrote:care to share. ..?
I've done it with more and less barley, and I prefer the lighter beer, works better with the fresh spruce.
Needs to be the very new growth on the tips of the branches. They will be very tender, green, and tasty.
Do Not use anything older. Once the tips start to turn woody the beer will be oily and horrible. Trust me.
Not really a recipe, but here is what I do.
8# 2-row for a 5 gallon batch. Big handful of spruce tips in the boil, then another big handful near the end of the boil, maybe the last 10 min.
I have used mild hops, and citrusy hops, and not too much of them, both work well. Stay away from the piney hops, let the spruce tips do that job.
I like doing it with some black patent malt in there,too, just to give the beer a darker color. 1/4# - 1/2# of crystal malt won't hurt it neither.
Shouting and shooting, I can't let them catch me...
- MichiganCornhusker
- retired
- Posts: 4527
- Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:24 am
Re: Pine needle wine
Here they come... Will be ready for harvesting in a few weeks.
Shouting and shooting, I can't let them catch me...
- ShineonCrazyDiamond
- Global moderator
- Posts: 3434
- Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2014 6:14 pm
- Location: Look Up
Re: Pine needle wine
I was wondering, can you freeze these? Have you tried? Do they lose freshness?
They are about ready in the neighbors tree, but I am up for a stout this weekend, and an IPA in 4 weeks. What's the 'sprout season' length?
They are about ready in the neighbors tree, but I am up for a stout this weekend, and an IPA in 4 weeks. What's the 'sprout season' length?
"Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
- MichiganCornhusker
- retired
- Posts: 4527
- Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:24 am
Re: Pine needle wine
I bet they freeze just fine. I froze some last spring, but lost power to my freezer and lost all contents.ShineonCrazyDiamond wrote:I was wondering, can you freeze these? Have you tried? Do they lose freshness?
They are about ready in the neighbors tree, but I am up for a stout this weekend, and an IPA in 4 weeks. What's the 'sprout season' length?
I think you can pick them any time they are still green and tender. Once they start to develop a woody stem, it's too late.
A handfull of these in an IPA might be very nice!
Shouting and shooting, I can't let them catch me...
- ShineonCrazyDiamond
- Global moderator
- Posts: 3434
- Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2014 6:14 pm
- Location: Look Up
Re: Pine needle wine
Yeah, I make a great 2 hearted ale clone, and thought it would go nicely in that. But I want the stout made first. So maybe I'll freeze some this weekend, and use them in 4 weeks. I didn't want to have to move the IPA up. I am kegging an arrogant Bastard this weekend.MichiganCornhusker wrote:I bet they freeze just fine. I froze some last spring, but lost power to my freezer and lost all contents.ShineonCrazyDiamond wrote:I was wondering, can you freeze these? Have you tried? Do they lose freshness?
They are about ready in the neighbors tree, but I am up for a stout this weekend, and an IPA in 4 weeks. What's the 'sprout season' length?
I think you can pick them any time they are still green and tender. Once they start to develop a woody stem, it's too late.
A handfull of these in an IPA might be very nice!
"Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
- ShineonCrazyDiamond
- Global moderator
- Posts: 3434
- Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2014 6:14 pm
- Location: Look Up
Christmas in JUL-IPA
So, got my spuce tips!
Had to post the beauty of a beast that gave me my little sprouts. I love this tree, and even more now.
I tasted the tips, they are very lemony crisp. So I think I will do a malty sweet citrus beer.
So, I think I am going to make a double ipa out of the 2 hearted ale recipe, by increasing the vienna malt from 2 lbs to 10, to match the pale malt. This will give me some yummy malt candy base. Then, I have to increase the hops, so I might use a German citrus hop in portions along with the Centennial hop. Throw in the spruce, of course, finisher off with 1098 slurry I collected today from the arrogant Bastard ferment. I'll start it in 4 weeks, pull it off 7/2/16. That will make it...Christmas in Jul-IPA.
Mmmmm. We'll see how this goes. ..
Had to post the beauty of a beast that gave me my little sprouts. I love this tree, and even more now.
I tasted the tips, they are very lemony crisp. So I think I will do a malty sweet citrus beer.
So, I think I am going to make a double ipa out of the 2 hearted ale recipe, by increasing the vienna malt from 2 lbs to 10, to match the pale malt. This will give me some yummy malt candy base. Then, I have to increase the hops, so I might use a German citrus hop in portions along with the Centennial hop. Throw in the spruce, of course, finisher off with 1098 slurry I collected today from the arrogant Bastard ferment. I'll start it in 4 weeks, pull it off 7/2/16. That will make it...Christmas in Jul-IPA.
Mmmmm. We'll see how this goes. ..
"Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
Re: Pine needle wine
Dam. Your making me thirsty
HDNB wrote: The trick here is to learn what leads to a stalled mash....and quit doing that.
- MichiganCornhusker
- retired
- Posts: 4527
- Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:24 am
Re: Pine needle wine
Very nice, that sound like a great plan.
Shouting and shooting, I can't let them catch me...
Re: Pine needle wine
The Banff distillery i visited last weekend is making a spruce tip Gin...soon to be released so i didn't get a taste...but they said they have to use a lot more spruce tips than they expected to carry it to the spirit.
dunno how that applies to wine, but FWIW, there ya go.
dunno how that applies to wine, but FWIW, there ya go.
I finally quit drinking for good.
now i drink for evil.
now i drink for evil.
- MichiganCornhusker
- retired
- Posts: 4527
- Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:24 am
Re: Pine needle wine
Thanks for that info, HDNB, I'm going to try a couple ideas for spruce shine.
Shouting and shooting, I can't let them catch me...
- ShineonCrazyDiamond
- Global moderator
- Posts: 3434
- Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2014 6:14 pm
- Location: Look Up
Re: Pine needle wine
Of course you are.MichiganCornhusker wrote:Thanks for that info, HDNB, I'm going to try a couple ideas for spruce shine.
Please be sure to let us know the sugar content of those, well ya
"Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
- ShineonCrazyDiamond
- Global moderator
- Posts: 3434
- Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2014 6:14 pm
- Location: Look Up
Re: Pine needle wine
Tis' the season for Christmas in Jul-IPA . My spruce ipa went so well last year that I picked 3 quarts this year. One for now, one to enter into a competition in November, and another next spring before they sprout again. It was a really wonderful beer. The spruce does not fade over time like hops, so at about 1.5 months to 2 months, it really peaked. An ipa to age! Get'em now, boys!
"Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
-
- Master of Distillation
- Posts: 3183
- Joined: Sat Oct 24, 2015 11:59 am
- Location: Pacific Northwest
Re: Pine needle wine
Clear Creek Distillery in Portland makes a wonderful Douglas Fir eau de vie. Smells and tastes wonderful to me. They use the fresh, young, buds that come in spring. It's Brandy based, but I don't know how they used the buds. I would think steaming, but it has a nice green tint to it, so maybe a short maceration?
I will be trying this a few ways next spring.
I will be trying this a few ways next spring.
Otis’ Pot and Thumper, Dimroth Condenser: Pot-n-Thumper/Dimroth
Learning to Toast: Toasting Wood
Polishing Spirits with Fruitwood: Fruitwood
Badmotivator’s Barrels: Badmo Barrels
Learning to Toast: Toasting Wood
Polishing Spirits with Fruitwood: Fruitwood
Badmotivator’s Barrels: Badmo Barrels