My attempt at a Blue Moon clone

MGAZ · 08-12-2009, 05:11 AM

Blue Moon Clone
Brew Type: Partial Mash
Style: Witbier
Brewer: MG
Batch Size: 5.50 gal
Boil Volume: 6.30 gal
Boil Time: 60 min
Brewhouse Efficiency: 70.00 %
Equipment: My Equipment
Actual Efficiency: 62.87 %
Taste Rating (50 possible points): 35.0

Ingredients Amount Item Type % or IBU
3.00 lb Extra Light Dry Extract (3.0 SRM) Dry Extract 37.50 %
2.00 lb Wheat Malt, Bel (2.0 SRM) Grain 25.00 %
2.00 lb Wheat, Flaked (1.6 SRM) Grain 25.00 %
1.00 oz Hallertauer [4.80 %] (60 min) Hops 16.0 IBU
0.50 oz Orange Peel, Sweet (Boil 10.0 min) Misc
1.00 oz Coriander Seed (Boil 10.0 min) Misc
1.00 lb Candi Sugar, Clear (0.5 SRM) Sugar 12.50 %
1 Pkgs US-05 American Ale ( SAFALE #US 05) Yeast-Ale

Beer Profile Estimated Original Gravity: 1.049 SG (1.044-1.052 SG)
Estimated Final Gravity: 1.013 SG (1.008-1.012 SG)
Estimated Color: 3.2 SRM (2.0-4.0 SRM)
Bitterness: 16.0 IBU (10.0-20.0 IBU)
Estimated Alcohol by Volume: 4.71 % (4.50-5.50 %)

chode720 · 08-12-2009, 11:35 AM

Few things with this recipe. It looks pretty close, but I dont think it will get you there.

First, I think your Orange Peel is too low and the Coriander is too high. I used the amounts from the recipe in Jamil's book, Brewing Classic Styles, and for a 5 gallon batch I used 1.5 oz of fresh orange peel and 4 oz of coriander. That seemed to do the trick and the beer came out very very tasty.

I'm not sure what type of yeast is used in Blue Moon, but if you are going for an authentic Belgian Wit style, I would use a Wit yeast. You wont get the authentic flavor from the beer without using the Wit yeast.

I also havent used candi sugar in a Wit before. I know it can be used, but not sure if its really needed for this style as the candi sugar is generally used to bump up ABV while keeping the flavors light.

Duster72 · 08-12-2009, 11:55 AM

Supposedly, Blue Moon uses American Ale yeast. Here's the recipe: http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f12/blue-moon-clone-65328/#post671567

JoeMama · 08-12-2009, 12:02 PM

Check out Biermunchers recipe for this. I think its called Blue Balls or something like that.
-Me

Scooby_Brew · 08-12-2009, 12:57 PM

Every time I have a Blue Moon all I can taste is loads and loads of tangerine orange extract. I don't think you could find a tangerine extract in stores, but you could substitute this with a regular orange extract used for baking. I would use maybe 0.5-1.0 oz. / 5 gal.

BTW, I agree with the choice of US-05 in place of a Belgian wit yeast.

chode720 · 08-12-2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duster72

Supposedly, Blue Moon uses American Ale yeast. Here's the recipe: http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f12/blue-moon-clone-65328/#post671567

Really? I did not know that. I guess thats why I get more of a citrus flavor than that Belgian "funk" when I drink it..... And the fact that its loaded with citrus extracts....

MGAZ · 08-12-2009, 02:41 PM

I brewed this on saturday except I was drunk and used 1oz of orange peel instead of half.

We'll see how it turns out.

**thantos** · 08-12-2009, 05:15 PM

Keep us posted, I have tried to clone this numerous times and never thought it was right, but I think the key here might be the yeast I have always used a Belgian wit when I tried it!

MGAZ · 08-12-2009, 11:32 PM

Updated once I realized BM us flaked oats, not wheat and lost the sugar

3.50 lb Extra Light Dry Extract (3.0 SRM) Dry Extract 41.94 %
3.50 lb Wheat Malt, Bel (2.0 SRM) Grain 45.16 %
1.00 lb Oats, Flaked (1.0 SRM) Grain 12.90 %
1.00 oz Hallertauer [4.80 %] (60 min) Hops 16.3 IBU
0.50 oz Orange Peel, Sweet (Boil 10.0 min) Misc
1.00 oz Coriander Seed (Boil 10.0 min) Misc
1 Pkgs US-05 American Ale ( SAFALE #US 05) Yeast-Ale

Est Original Gravity: 1.049
Est Final Gravity: 1.013

Naplespap · 08-13-2009, 04:16 AM

I did the PM recipe and I forgot to add the hops during my boil. How screwed am I?