spruce beer

noun

1. a fermented beverage made with spruce leaves and twigs, or an extract from them.

spruce beer

noun

1. an alcoholic drink made of fermented molasses flavoured with spruce twigs and cones

Word History and Origins

Origin of spruce beer¹

First recorded in 1490–1500

Example Sentences

Joe Beef originally was a place that used to make spruce beer.

From Salon

Native Americans brewed spruce beer long before Europeans arrived on the scene.

From Washington Times

I can give you a comfortable lodging, and wholesome good fresh provisions, excellent fish and good spruce beer, the growth and manufacture of our own Province.

From Project Gutenberg

Every other day we had a cask of spruce beer sent on board.

From Project Gutenberg

"Certainly, Mister, of course," responded the Pigeon express man, leaving the presence of the tickled-to-death publisher, who paced his office as full of effervescence as a jimmyjohn of spruce beer in dog days.

From Project Gutenberg