Okay, I’m making a Belgian Pale Ale with Phoenix & Ardennes, and I want to spice it with anise. I’m wondering if y’all would recommend Star Anise or Anise seed for this. I’ve only ever worked with anise seed in baking, so I’m familiar with it, but everything I’ve read about spicing with anise only pertains to star anise.
Thoughts?
Very different flavors. Pick the spice based on the flavor you expect to get from it.
Anise = licorice
Star Anise = mild licorice plus a lot of other flavors (cinnamon, all spice, etc)
If you want to use regular anise, I’d advise making an alcohol extract and using that. Anise has a very earthy background flavour that can come through if you use enough to get a solid anise flavour. That background can work out OK in a dark beer, but can be unpleasant in lighter ones.
I myself would go with star anise in your case. It’s a cleaner, brighter flavour.