Liquorice in beer

[dennisdk2000]

This might sound strange to English brewers, but liquorice isn't an unusual addition to certain beers in my native Denmark. I fancy using some for my Christmas brew, so I asked on a Danish brewing forum what to use, and the answer that came back was "engelsk lakrids" - English Liquorice, which apparently is pure liquorice extract. The irony is that here in England, there is no such thing as English Liquorice - it has proven difficult, if not impossible, to get pure liquorice extract in the UK. It made me think: has anyone here tried brewing with liquorice? Does anyone know where it might be possible to get hold of it in the UK?

Dennis

 

[bobsbeer]

You can get it in health food shops. My wife tells me she has liquorice root in her shop where she works for 15p a strip. Plus other types of liquorice products.

 

[dennisdk2000]

Cheers Bob!

I do believe that's what some of my countrymen do it - the extract is basically a strong infusion of the roots, boiled down to concentrate and eventually dried. I might have to go down the liquorice root route.

Dennis

 

[Good Ed]

It depends on what you want in your beer; my first AG was Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby as GW's recipe and using Brewlabs Thames Valley 2, I got huge liquorice flavour

So don't forget that your recipe and your yeast can give you a liquorice flavour without actually adding any liquorice.

 

[mickthetrick]

black treacle seems to give a bit of a liquorice taste when used.
maybe worth a try for you

 

[dennisdk2000]

It depends on what you want in your beer; my first AG was Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby as GW's recipe and using Brewlabs Thames Valley 2, I got huge liquorice flavour

So don't forget that your recipe and your yeast can give you a liquorice flavour without actually adding any liquorice.

Good point! Might have to do a little yeast research - and I've been looking at doing a Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby, so might revisit that before I decide on my Christmas brew!

black treacle seems to give a bit of a liquorice taste when used.
maybe worth a try for you

Might have to give this a try too...

Looks like I'll be doing a bit of experimenting!

Dennis