Juniper

[radwizard]

In many Scandinavian and Eastern European Farmhouse beers they are or were using Juniper. This Juniper is juniperus communis var. communis. In the Pacific Northwest we also have Juniper Communis, but I believe that this is a different variety ( juniperus communis var. depressa) . I think that all Juniper Communis in the United States is var. depresssa, but I am not sure on that. I am also under the impression that the American variety is more of a shrub and the European more unpright - but again, I am not 100% sure on that either.

Anyways, I am wanting to brew with Juniper here pretty soon and am doing some research. Has anyone brewed with American varieties of Juniper - Communis , specifically? Are the differences in the European and American varieties much very different?

I am also curious to use the Western Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) which grows naturally pretty close to me. Has anyone tried this one?

Any Juniper experts out there that could offer me some advice?

Thanks!

 

[Snuffy]

Old thread alert.

I have recently looked into brewing with juniper and have found some info that may apply here. A lot of it focuses on the berries but similar compounds are found throughout the plant. Most Scandinavian juniper is the tree type and the most common used is Juniper Communis. In the US we have more of the shrub varieties and those can be a bit sketchy since there are a couple that are toxic. Not instant death toxic, but more like violently ill and possible kidney damage toxic.

"NOTE: The berries of Juniperus sabina and Juniperus oxycedrus are not safe for human consumption and should be avoided."

"There are many species of juniper berries; however, keep in mind that at least one is toxic. Edible juniper varieties include:

• Juniperus communis (the most commonly used)
• Juniperus drupacea
• Juniperus deppeana
• Juniperus phoenicea
• Juniperus chinensis
• Juniperus excelsa
• Juniperus oxycedrus
• Juniperus californica"

I have loads of the chinensis variety and would like to use a branch of that in the mash with a simple SMaSH recipe but I'm still thinking about it. I have good friends that are Norwegian and would like to surprise them with something infused with juniper. May keep looking for a tree variety instead of resorting to shrubs. This is one instance where my tagline doesn't hold up.
More info:
https://draxe.com/nutrition/juniper-berries/
https://plantaddicts.com/are-juniper-poisonous/
https://www.livestrong.com/article/539975-the-toxicity-of-juniper-berries/
https://www.brewingnordic.com/new-nordic-beer/brewing-with-juniper-spruce-fir-pine/
https://www.brewingnordic.com/farmhouse-ales/heimabrygg-vossaol-farmhouse-homebrews-western-norway/