Beer, Spruce

Syn. Cerevis′ia (-vĭzh′-) ABI′ETIS , C. abieti′na , C. abiet′ica* , L. Prep. 1. Sugar, 1 lb. ; e ence of spruce, 1 ⁄ 2 oz. ; boiling water, 1 gall. ; mix well, and when nearly cold, add of yeast 1 ⁄ 2 a wine-gla ful; and the next day bottle like ginger-beer. 2. E ence of spruce, 1 ⁄ 2 pint; pimento and ginger (bruised), of each 5 oz. ; hops, 1 ⁄ 2 lb. ; water, 3 galls.; boil the whole for 10 minutes, then add of moist sugar, 12 lbs. (or good treacle, 14 lbs. ); warm water, 11 galls. ; mix well, and, when only lukewarm, further add of yeast, 1 pint; after the liquid has fermented for about 24 hours, bottle it. Prop., Uses, . Diuretic and antiscorbutic. Regarded by some persons as an agreeable ‘summer-drink,’ and often found useful during long sea-voyages. When made with lump-sugar it is called WHITE SPRUCE-BEER ; when with moist sugar or treacle, BROWN SPRUCE-BEER . An inferior sort is made by using le sugar, or more water. If made with 1 1 ⁄ 4 to 1 1 ⁄ 2 lb. of lump-sugar per gall., and without yeast, in a similar manner to that described under Ginger-beer (No. 2), it may be kept a twelvemonth or longer in a moderately cool place.