So I was thinking about cloning some beers and thought of a couple things. First and foremost, I know the OG of the beer (throw it in a hydrometer) and if I knew the yeast I could get the FG. The question from this point, is how do I determine what hops, IBU, and malt profiles a beer has? I think BYO had an article before I joined the subscription.
I would really be interested in a systematic scientific way to reverse engineer top-notch craft beers.
No dice on that. It's an art form, not a science. Good example, austinhomebrew makes kits for a Rogue Mocha Porter clone. I know the grain bill is different, the hops are different and the yeast is different. But, side by side, I can't tell them apart.
Get a book on clone beers, look for clone kits and brew a lot!
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if you like belgium beer, buy "Brew Like A Monk". Not only does this book emphasize making beer as an art form (over science), but it gives some insight to what is used in many different belgium beers like Triple Karmeliet, and the processes that are used in individual breweries.
Not a clone book but if you like Belgium beers, this will "empower".
So I was thinking about cloning some beers and thought of a couple things. First and foremost, I know the OG of the beer (throw it in a hydrometer) and if I knew the yeast I could get the FG. The question from this point, is how do I determine what hops, IBU, and malt profiles a beer has? I think BYO had an article before I joined the subscription.
I would really be interested in a systematic scientific way to reverse engineer top-notch craft beers.
There are a few holes in this logic as well. If you put the hydrometer in the beer, you are checking FG not OG. In order to get the OG you woul dhave to let the brewer at "X" brewing company let you take a hydrometer reading, just before he pitches his yeast.
Plus, the attenuation of the wort is not completely determined by simply the variety of yeast you use. AAMOF, many varieties will ferment down to very similar final gravitys. Flavor is a bigger reason to use one yeat over the other in my relatively limited experience.
Best luck is to go looking for a publised clone of a commercial beer you like. Enough research will turn up a lot of them, and go from there.I have done one for Bell's Expedition Stout that I am happy with and though it is by no means exact, I can tell many similarities and am pretty happy with it. Having a 22 of that tomight as a matter of fact.
Cheers
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Read Designing Great Beers by Daniels. You have a lot of research ahead of yopu
in order to find out how to clone brews. A good recipie book will have most of the common styles.
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So I was thinking about cloning some beers and thought of a couple things. First and foremost, I know the OG of the beer (throw it in a hydrometer) and if I knew the yeast I could get the FG. The question from this point, is how do I determine what hops, IBU, and malt profiles a beer has? I think BYO had an article before I joined the subscription.
I would really be interested in a systematic scientific way to reverse engineer top-notch craft beers.
I think the first step is to taste lots and lots of beer and take notes. Learn to tell the tastes of the different hops and combinations of hops. Learn your grains and know how each other them taste in various combinations. People with a palate sensitive enough to learn these intricacies will be able to ballpark the ingredients. From there you'd trial-and-error your way to success.
I don't think you can create a widget that will decipher the recipe. Only the mouth, nose and brain are smart enough for that. You'll then need a lot of people to do side-by-side taste tests to tell you what's different. You would be better to try to harvest yeast from your target brew rather than pick one from Wyeast or White Labs.
Now, one thing to your advantage is that a lot of craftbrewed beer lists the ingredients used.
I am new to the hobby and it has definatley bitten me in the a$*@#4...
I am hooked and my bank account has proof.
I got into home brew primarily becuase i enjoy so many different kinds and Im always looking to try a different beer. I certainly have my favorites, but i think what I like most about homebrew is that its different than any of my commercial favorites. I now have homebrew favorites, that despite my best efforts are really difficult to reproduce taste for taste.
I mean if Im really 'jonesin' for a Budweiser, ill go get one.....ROFL JUST KIDDING... my favorite style right now is IPA, so ill drink my homebrew IPA or pick one of the self at the liquor store or local pub...
I figure i can go buy a commercial that i like, so ill brew something of my own doing. I guess if rather have an original than try to clone something. I do however understand it could be a challenge thing, where you want to try your master hand at replication...
MNBugeater
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Last edited by MNBugeater; 07-12-2006 at 08:46 PM.
I agree with boo boo, Ray Daniels' 'Designing Great Beers' is your best starting point for something like this. Get ready for a lot of experimentation and trial and error.
I think the first step is to taste lots and lots of beer and take notes. Learn to tell the tastes of the different hops and combinations of hops. Learn your grains and know how each other them taste in various combinations.
What are some of the best techniques for doing these things? I've had one guy tell me he used to grab a small handfull of the grain and chew it. I've also seen on TV where they make a hop tea. Anyone done any of these things, or others outside of the obvious making of a few brews changing a single ingredient each time?
It's a bit of a cop-out, but I'd say all the above.
One thing to keep in mind is that craft brewers are often proud of the ingredients they use and are willing to at least give some information regarding what goes into it. Check out their website, and try giving them a phone call if you find a beer you'd really like to clone. While they aren't going to hand you their recipe, they'll probably be able to help.
Mastering Cloning
JUST KIDDING... my favorite style right now is IPA, so ill drink my homebrew IPA or pick one of the self at the liquor store or local pub...
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