Spruce instead of hops

[Shug]

Been trying to find recipes for spruce beer, and a lot of notes on the origins say spruce was used in place of hops, or alongside hops.
Been fancying making a spruce beer, so could it be as simple as just picking a pale ale recipe and turfing in the spruce as well? The recipes I've found all use malt extract, and as I'm still in the very early stages of AG, I must use grain!
Will be gathering fresh spruce tips this weekend so will be brewing something containing it!

I had thought on making an IPA style beer. Deuchars uses Fuggles and Super Styrian Goldings, so maybe swap out one of those, or reduce and supplement with spruce?
Having said that, william bros spruce beer (alba) seems to only have malt, spruce and yeast. (and water!)
:hmm:
Errr, anyone have an easy recipe?

 

[johnnyboy1965]

Before you try a spruce beer I suggest you try a lavender or rosemary beer first. The trouble with using spruce is that it smells like cheap disinfectant.

 

[screamlead]

Before you try a spruce beer I suggest you try a lavender or rosemary beer first. The trouble with using spruce is that it smells like cheap disinfectant.

I'll ditto that - here in Turkey they use a pine/spruce type for making tea in winter and must admit it tastes like hot mouthwash!!

 

[TheMumbler]

how is rosemary beer?