hist-brewing: Re: Spanish Juice and Hartshorn Shavings

[Mike Bennett]

JazzboBob at aol.com  wrote:

>The Private Brewer's Guide of 1822 mentions Spanish Juice in several Porter 
>recipes.  
>What is this? Some form of caramel or concentrated molasses?
>Also, what are Hartshorn Shavings?
>
I think you're correct in assuming that Spanish Juice is molasses or 
dark cane syrup.  Hartshorn shavings are literally that... hart's horn 
shavings.  They are shavings from the horn of a hart (elk).  My guess is 
that they serve a function similar to irish moss in the boil, or as a 
fining agent if used post-fermentation.

Hope this helps.

--
Mike Bennett
Brewer for Hire
Recognized BJCP Beer Judge
[1958, 287.1] Apparent Rennerian
mjb at efn.org

....Give a man a beer, he'll waste an hour.  
Teach a man to brew and he'll waste a lifetime....