Brewer's Licorice Stick

5/17/2010 -- what is your phone number?

Response From Homebrew Heaven: We can be reached at (425) 355-8865

Our toll free order is (800) 850-2739

5/12/2009 -- How many minutes should I boil the licorice stick for? Can I throw it in the hop bag with the hops or should I let it float free and try to keep it from ending up in the primary? I'm trying to make a clone of The Abyss (last time I had licorice root, not stick). Thanks!

Response From Homebrew Heaven: I would throw it in with about 30 minutes left in the boil. Just let it float, it will dissolve pretty quickly.

4/29/2008 -- I would like to make a blueberry beer for this summer and was thinking I would use to West Coast Blonde kit to do so. Do you recommend any other kit to use? I have been researching the best way to make a blueberry beer and have come across a couple different variations as to when to add the blueberries during the process. Do you have any advice on making blueberry beer? Thanks.

Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, our West Coast Blonde Kit would be an excellent base for a fruit beer. If you like wheat beers, our Wizard's Wheat is also a nice choice.

As far as fruit flavors, there are really two options for making a fruit beer: artificial flavorings and natural fruit.

Using artificial flavorings is actually a pretty good way to go. They are easy to use, and you can get the amount of fruit flavor you want because you add it (to taste) just prior to bottling. Here is a link to that product:

http://store.homebrewheaven.com/Product133

Using real fruit takes a little more care, and you are never sure if you have enough/too much fruit in the recipe until you taste the final product.

If you do use natural fruit, you have to be sure that the sugars in the fruit are completely fermented before bottling, and it takes additional time for pulp etc to settle out.

As far as HOW to add the fruit (and fruit juice), I like to first wash and freeze the fruit. When thawed, it is usually more "squishy" and breaks down better. Mashing it up a bit helps too. NEVER boil the fruit. After freezing, thawing and mashing the fruit, I like to put it into a nylon straining bag to contain as much pulp as possible. Add this bag, and any juice, directly to the primary fermenter. I believe the best time to add it is just after you see signs of active fermentation. Leave the bag in the primary fermenter for perhaps 2-3 days and then remove it for the rest of the brewing process.

1/26/2008 -- I live about an hour (if traffic is good) from the address on your website. Do you have an actual store or is everything here based solely online?

Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, we have an actual brick-and-mortar store in Everett, WA. People actually walk in and buy stuff!

Our address is:

Homebrew Heaven
9109 Evergreen Way
Everett, WA 98204

Here is a video of our shop:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1a5fKvv8XI

Heck, you can actually call us on the phone, too! It's 425-355-8865. A person will actually answer as long as it's business hours!

12/10/2007 -- Looking to try my hand at a chocolate stout. Would the licorice stick be a wise choice?

Response From Homebrew Heaven: It's easy to over-do a beer. I would stick with the chocolate first and try that. If you think it needs licorice, THEN try it. Use no more than 1/2 stick at first.

3/12/2007 -- About to brew the scuttlebutt porter,with changes.1)I plan on adding 2 cups of brown sugar to the boil.At what point during the boil & is the c&h pure cane brown ok? 2)I want to add a pot of brewed coffee. Add it prior to pitching the yeast in primary? 3)Shooting for a coffee/mocha type porter so I was thinkin 2-4 tbs of the dry hersheys powder to end of boil.You think the licorice stick is too much?

Response From Homebrew Heaven: 1) Any time during the boil is fine for adding brown sugar. Yes, C&H will work.
2) Correct. DON'T add it to the boil.
3) Yes. That sounds about right. Make sure it has no oils or fats added.
4) Yes, I think licorice would be too much with the above additions. Personal choice, of course. I have made licorice porters too, and like them, but it's easy to get carried away...

12/12/2006 -- I have already purchased the licorice stick, it will be used in homemade root beer(real root not extract). I plan on small batchs, 2 gallons at a time. I want a hint of licorice, what will a quarter stick do for 2 gallons?

Response From Homebrew Heaven: It's pretty strong. Try taking a small nibble. I would start with perphaps 1/8 of a stick...just as a guess.

11/5/2006 -- I live in Seattle, can I come and pick up the bottles in Everett? Do you have a "brick and mortar" store?

Response From Homebrew Heaven: You sure can. It is literally made of bricks and mortar, in South Everett. Our address is:

Homebrew Heaven
9109 Evergreen Way
Everett, WA 98204
425-355-8865

Hours are 10-6:30 M-F
and 9:30-5 on Saturdays

Here is a video of the place:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1a5fKvv8XI

Take a look around!

6/22/2006 -- Should the licorice stick be added to the boil, or to the secondary fermentor, like the vanilla bean in your Vanilla Weizen kit?

Response From Homebrew Heaven: Licorice sticks should be added to the boil.

1/4/2005 -- I am making a fruit pale ale. I have 2 questions. I am wondering what to add to my wort? Should it be real fruit, extract, puree, or anything else I have neglected.

Also I have read in "The Joy of Homebrewing" that the Krausen, if not removed, from the primary fermenter can create a bitter taste. Is it worth exposing my beer to the elements to remove this stuff, or should i kick back and drink a beer?

Response From Homebrew Heaven: 1) Fruit should not be boiled, but puree or raw fruit can be added to the primary fermenter. Alternatively, you can add extract flavoring after all fermentation is complete. This allows you to "add to taste" just prior to bottling or kegging. Here is a link to the flavorings:

http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/?Category=27

2) We do not advocate removing krausen, unless it makes you happy to do so. The "bitter beer from krausen theory" has now been pretty well debunked. You will never see a commercial brewery that does this. Kicking back and drinking a beer is ALWAYS good advice.

10/19/2004 -- I am already planning on making a beer for Christmas and flavoring it with cinnamon and nutmeg. However, if I wanted to use grated ginger in a beer recipe, would it be a good match with something like a Canadian Ale? I want something light and crisp that would be further enhanced by the spice of ginger.

Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, we think ginger makes a nice addition, cinnamon too!

HOWEVER...our advice is to be careful with nutmeg. The nutmeg seems to get more intense over time. Even a small amount seems to be too much, so use with caution.

7/21/2004 -- Is it an actual licorice flavor? Is it used to make a licorice flavor beer or is it added to a certain type of beer to add to its character? Thanks, Dave

Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, it is actually a licorice flavor. Not sweet, just licorice.

It is sometimes used in porters and stouts to add an extra "zing" of flavor. It is also said to help with head retention.

I have used it, and found that about 1/2 of a stick is about right in a porter. A full stick will give your beer a pronounced licorice flavor (maybe too much, but you may like it).