spruce beer

American  

noun

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

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spruce beer British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of spruce beer

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