Thor the Mighty
Well-Known Member
has anyone made an extract clone of stone levitation? i searched the forum and found one thread only about how someone made one but not how it came out or what he used to make it. any help appreciated.
levitation?
- Thread starter Thor the Mighty
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Thor the Mighty
Well-Known Member
up? anyone?
Couevas
Well-Known Member
It's good to see another Stone Fan. They are probably my favorite brewery.
I have a Ruination Clone in AG that I could convert to extract for you....but I have no Levitation. Sorry
I have a Ruination Clone in AG that I could convert to extract for you....but I have no Levitation. Sorry
Couevas
Well-Known Member
Ok. I did a little research on Stone's website. Here is my shot at a recipe. Try it and let me know.
BeerSmith Recipe Printout - http://www.beersmith.com
Recipe: Levitation Clone-Extract
Brewer: Chris Couevas
Asst Brewer:
Style: American Amber Ale
TYPE: Extract
Taste: (35.0)
Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Batch Size: 5.50 gal
Boil Size: 6.92 gal
Estimated OG: 1.043 SG
Estimated Color: 15.5 SRM
Estimated IBU: 45.4 IBU
Brewhouse Efficiency: - %
Boil Time: 60 Minutes
Ingredients:
------------
Amount Item Type % or IBU
5.36 lb Extra Light Dry Extract (3.0 SRM) Dry Extract 85.90 %
0.50 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 60L (60.0 SRM) Grain 8.01 %
0.25 lb Roasted Barley (300.0 SRM) Grain 4.01 %
0.13 lb Chocolate Malt (350.0 SRM) Grain 2.08 %
0.50 oz Simcoe [13.00 %] (60 min) Hops 22.8 IBU
0.25 oz Magnum [14.00 %] (60 min) Hops 12.3 IBU
0.50 oz Crystal [3.50 %] (15 min) Hops 3.0 IBU
0.50 oz Amarillo Gold [8.50 %] (15 min) Hops 7.4 IBU
0.50 oz Crystal [3.50 %] (0 min) (Aroma Hop-SteepHops -
0.50 oz Amarillo Gold [8.50 %] (0 min) (Aroma HopHops -
1.00 tsp Irish Moss (Boil 10.0 min) Misc
1 Pkgs California Ale (White Labs #WLP001) Yeast-Ale
Mash Schedule: None
Total Grain Weight: 6.36 lb
----------------------------
Steep grains as desired (30-60 minutes)
BeerSmith Recipe Printout - http://www.beersmith.com
Recipe: Levitation Clone-Extract
Brewer: Chris Couevas
Asst Brewer:
Style: American Amber Ale
TYPE: Extract
Taste: (35.0)
Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Batch Size: 5.50 gal
Boil Size: 6.92 gal
Estimated OG: 1.043 SG
Estimated Color: 15.5 SRM
Estimated IBU: 45.4 IBU
Brewhouse Efficiency: - %
Boil Time: 60 Minutes
Ingredients:
------------
Amount Item Type % or IBU
5.36 lb Extra Light Dry Extract (3.0 SRM) Dry Extract 85.90 %
0.50 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 60L (60.0 SRM) Grain 8.01 %
0.25 lb Roasted Barley (300.0 SRM) Grain 4.01 %
0.13 lb Chocolate Malt (350.0 SRM) Grain 2.08 %
0.50 oz Simcoe [13.00 %] (60 min) Hops 22.8 IBU
0.25 oz Magnum [14.00 %] (60 min) Hops 12.3 IBU
0.50 oz Crystal [3.50 %] (15 min) Hops 3.0 IBU
0.50 oz Amarillo Gold [8.50 %] (15 min) Hops 7.4 IBU
0.50 oz Crystal [3.50 %] (0 min) (Aroma Hop-SteepHops -
0.50 oz Amarillo Gold [8.50 %] (0 min) (Aroma HopHops -
1.00 tsp Irish Moss (Boil 10.0 min) Misc
1 Pkgs California Ale (White Labs #WLP001) Yeast-Ale
Mash Schedule: None
Total Grain Weight: 6.36 lb
----------------------------
Steep grains as desired (30-60 minutes)
blacklab
Well-Known Member
I'm going to agree with Couevas recipes, as a starting point. You gotta show some restraint with the Chocolate or it will overpower the whole scene. I might go even skinnier on it.
That's levitation, homes!
That's levitation, homes!
Couevas
Well-Known Member
....with MIND BULLETS!
Good Stuff
I know, it will have a heavy roasty flavor. However, I was reading reviews on it and from memory, I remember it being a little sweet and quite roasty.
blacklab
Well-Known Member
Cool. So Thor - you gonna guinea pig this one or what? Or are you wearing nunderwear today?
Couevas
Well-Known Member
Anyone else as big of a Stone fan as I am? C'mon brothers...unite.
I have a case each of their Vertical Epics 060606 and 070707.
Trade anyone?
EDIT: And I will be aquiring a case of the 080808 here in a few weeks.
I have a case each of their Vertical Epics 060606 and 070707.
Trade anyone?
EDIT: And I will be aquiring a case of the 080808 here in a few weeks.
blacklab
Well-Known Member
I dig it. My BIL just moved to San Diego and has been Stoning like a madman. I think if they had better water to work with their stuff could be best in class.
Thor the Mighty
Well-Known Member
yeah i ordered 8 cases of it *see what i did there?* so that i can hold on to a case for myself and sell the rest. stone is by far the coolest vendor to work with!!!
no nunderwear, i ran out of that. sippin some heathen hefe right now, with a taint bernardus cooling off. in the works is a hoegaarden clone (in primary) and that levitation clone. god i hope it works.
damn thanks man ill get on this as soon as i have money.
Couevas
Well-Known Member
So, I take it you will try it? Glad I could help.
You say they are the coolest "vendor"? What kind of business do you have to have them as a vendor?
Also, you happen to have any 05, or earlier Verticals around? I need to get my hands on one of each for 121212.
Thor the Mighty
Well-Known Member
yeah im definately going to try that out man thanks for the numbers.
i work for whole foods as their beer specialist at one of their locations and by no means am i a beer GURU, i just have a huge passion for beer, and know every beer in the store so they gave me a raise and the title. woot.
out of all the vendors, stone is the only consistant, time saving and available source for beer that i deal with. They recently stopped supplying ruination and levitation, we get that through someone else now, but beyond that they have a bunch of san diego/san marcos micro brew beers that are available. tight stuff.
i dont happen to have any vertical epic ales. the 888 is coming in next month and thats the only stuff i can get. everything else is long gone. sorry bruh
i work for whole foods as their beer specialist at one of their locations and by no means am i a beer GURU, i just have a huge passion for beer, and know every beer in the store so they gave me a raise and the title. woot.
out of all the vendors, stone is the only consistant, time saving and available source for beer that i deal with. They recently stopped supplying ruination and levitation, we get that through someone else now, but beyond that they have a bunch of san diego/san marcos micro brew beers that are available. tight stuff.
i dont happen to have any vertical epic ales. the 888 is coming in next month and thats the only stuff i can get. everything else is long gone. sorry bruh
V10jay
New Member
So any feedback on this? I'm wanting to try to brew a batch and would like to try a Levitation clone. Were you close?
surferdrew
Well-Known Member
i'll be giving this recipe a go tomorrow...thanks for the head start!
I'm going to follow the the above recipe exactly however I'm going to dry hop the last addition of Amarillo and use WL005 (English Ale) rather than the WL001.
I'm going to follow the the above recipe exactly however I'm going to dry hop the last addition of Amarillo and use WL005 (English Ale) rather than the WL001.
dunnright00
Well-Known Member
I don't know if they post the recipes or not, but I know that the "Can You Brew it?" show attempted this one recently. They got a lot of info from Mitch Steele, but I think the ultimate conclusion was "Not Cloned".
EricCSU
Well-Known Member
It was actually voted "cloned" by a vote of 4-0.
The following is the exact recipe given on the show:
"6 gallon batch
70% efficiency
Raeger formula
4.25kg British pale
0.5kg crystal 75
0.25kg crystal 150
20g black patent
Mash at 157
14g Columbus 90min
29g amarillo 30min
33g crystal 20min
11g simcoe 20min
42g amarillo dry hop
WLP007 fermented at 67 degrees
Finish at 3.2 plato"
The following is a conversion to US measurements in all grain (and swapped out crystal 75 or 150 for 60/90/120 because I can't get C-75 or C-120 locally and don't want to order the grains online):
Style: American Amber Ale
TYPE: All Grain
Taste: (35.0)
Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Batch Size: 6.00 gal
Boil Size: 7.23 gal
Estimated OG: 1.048 SG
Estimated Color: 17.1 SRM
Estimated IBU: 61.3 IBU
Brewhouse Efficiency: 70.00 %
Boil Time: 90 Minutes
Ingredients:
------------
Amount Item Type % or IBU
9 lbs 12.0 oz Pale Malt (2 Row) UK (3.0 SRM) Grain 84.86 %
9.0 oz Caramel/Crystal Malt - 60L (60.0 SRM) Grain 4.87 %
9.0 oz Caramel/Crystal Malt - 90L (90.0 SRM) Grain 4.87 %
9.0 oz Caramel/Crystal Malt -120L (120.0 SRM) Grain 4.87 %
1.0 oz Black (Patent) Malt (500.0 SRM) Grain 0.52 %
14.00 gm Columbus (Tomahawk) [14.00 %] (90 min) Hops 23.3 IBU
42.00 gm Amarillo Gold [8.50 %] (Dry Hop 3 days) Hops -
28.30 gm Amarillo Gold [8.50 %] (30 min) Hops 20.6 IBU
11.00 gm Simcoe [13.00 %] (20 min) Hops 9.6 IBU
33.00 gm Crystal [3.50 %] (20 min) Hops 7.8 IBU
1 Pkgs Dry English Ale (White Labs #WLP007) [StarYeast-Ale
The problem with the recipe above is that it is 61 IBU and Levitation is 44 IBU. This could be because of differences in AA% of the hops, so feel free to alter the hop bill accordingly.
Here is an extract conversion with the right amount of IBUs (for the hops I have at home of course). This is based on a full wort boil...if you are doing a partial boil, let me know the volume and I can alter the recipe accordingly.
Batch Size: 6.00 gal
Boil Size: 7.23 gal
Estimated OG: 1.048 SG
Estimated Color: 17.1 SRM
Estimated IBU: 44.0 IBU
Brewhouse Efficiency: - %
Boil Time: 90 Minutes
Ingredients:
------------
Amount Item Type % or IBU
8 lbs 0.1 oz Extra Pale Liquid Extract (3.0 SRM) Extract 81.73 %
9.2 oz Caramel/Crystal Malt - 60L (60.0 SRM) Grain 5.88 %
9.2 oz Caramel/Crystal Malt - 90L (90.0 SRM) Grain 5.88 %
9.2 oz Caramel/Crystal Malt -120L (120.0 SRM) Grain 5.88 %
1.0 oz Black (Patent) Malt (500.0 SRM) Grain 0.63 %
10.05 gm Columbus (Tomahawk) [14.00 %] (90 min) Hops 16.7 IBU
42.00 gm Amarillo Gold [8.50 %] (Dry Hop 3 days) Hops -
20.31 gm Amarillo Gold [8.50 %] (30 min) Hops 14.8 IBU
7.89 gm Simcoe [13.00 %] (20 min) Hops 6.9 IBU
23.68 gm Crystal [3.50 %] (20 min) Hops 5.6 IBU
1 Pkgs Dry English Ale (White Labs #WLP007) [StarYeast-Ale
jkarp
Well-Known Member
I'll be the token "hater" for the thread. Neighbor and I brewed up several good milds and bitters over the Winter. I picked up a sixer of Levitation last weekend after listening to Can You Brew It and I must say, it's the most unbalanced mild I've ever tasted. Waaay too hoppy for the style.
EricCSU
Well-Known Member
jkarp
Well-Known Member
Funny, we had the same discussion, on the mild at least. Where does mild begin/end? Clearly, Stone markets Levitation on its "sessionability" and low-alcohol content. There are so few examples available here in the States, we're arguably poor judges of the style. The winner of last year's Great British Beer Festival was a 4.4% mild...
EricCSU
Well-Known Member
It seems like the "sessionability" is relative to the rest of the line up. I have a few session recipes I created and I like, and they are all 3.5-4.1%, so they are a little bit lower. Most are just a scaled down version of a bigger beer. I have never actually had the Stone Levitation; it is not distributed here. It almost seems like a scaled down IPA, which is definitely an interesting concept. How do you make a beer that has complex, intense hop aroma that is low(er) in alcohol?
I just made an "scaled down APA" that is on the low end of ABV at 4.2% but it has a nice hop aroma and flavor with mostly late addition hops. I have never used Amarillo, so I am still unsure about how it meshes with Cascade and Centennial. But the beer is still green, so I will wait a couple of weeks and get a few other opinions before I decide on any alterations.
So true about milds. I have never had a mild, but I plan on brewing one because it sounds like a style I would enjoy. I will probably brew a pale mild in the summer and a traditional mild in the fall (all two weeks of fall here in Austin
Eric
Pivot
Well-Known Member
Gotta say, this brewery has some really stupid brew names. If I hadn't heard about this stuff on here I dont think I would look twice at some bottle of beer called Stone Ruination, or Stone Levitation. Not to mention id feel pretty stupid asking for it if someone wasnt familiar with it while out somewhere
TheWhaleShark
Well-Known Member
How can you not love a brewery that puts out a beer called Arrogant Bastard? The label even challenges you. Right to your face.
It also helps that their beers are astounding. Stone Russian Imperial is fantastic. Oaked Arrogant Bastard is sublime.
It also helps that their beers are astounding. Stone Russian Imperial is fantastic. Oaked Arrogant Bastard is sublime.
Pivot
Well-Known Member
Oh no slight against the beer at all, I have no problem with the actual product itself, I just think they have some stupid names.
StunnedMonkey
Well-Known Member
I was interested to listen to that one because several months ago I emailed the lead brewer (John Egan) and asked about the grain bill for Levitation. John was nice enough to send one to me. When the Can You Brew It came out I was really curious if it would be the same recipe, and indeed it was.
I brewed a beer using the grain bill, but hopped it a bit differently, and I thought it was quite good. It wasn't Levitation obviously, but it was a nice lower gravity beer.
This is my quest at the moment. I have this theory that everyone would ditch BMC if they drank a nicely hopped session homebrew. It takes time to develop a taste for hops, but the level of hop deliciousness that a homebrew can reach would convert anyone IMO. The low profile of a session beer leaves nothing for the hops to hide behind. One of the biggest differences between craft beer and homebrew to me is that when you pasteurize, package, and subject a bottle of beer to shipping, so much is lost that can never be regained. Some of my favorite hoppy beers are actually downright awful if they're not fresh.
I've done something very similar with a cream ale. Prime with fruit liqueur and you have in my mind the ultimate crowd pleaser. I can't think of anyone, be it beer snob or sorority girl, that wouldn't enjoy a glass of peach cream ale. I've never seen any beer like it available commercially, and I consider myself fortunate to have chanced a batch to discover how good this **** is.
I honestly love levitation and I'm excited to try this recipe. Levitation and hazed and infused were two beers I always couldn't get enough of. I wish that stuff flowed like natty.
surferdrew
Well-Known Member
Alright...I've attempted a Levitation clone twice and here have been the results:
First batch (using Couevas' extract recipe): ugh...i completely botched the recipe (i brewed during Super Bowl Sunday and forgot to top off to 5.5 gallons as per the recipe). Ended up being much darker, high gravity, etc. It's 10 days into bottle conditioning now so we'll see how it ends up. From initial tastes it seems like I could do less chocolate malt (but its not an accurate assessment since my volume was too low). It's like some crazy amber ale/porter hybrid. Hey, "every brew is an adventure," right?
Second batch (using EricCSU's extract recipe): alright...i was focused and on my A-game this time and followed everything to the T. Its currently in the primary and the gravity and color were spot on. I'll keep you updated.
First batch (using Couevas' extract recipe): ugh...i completely botched the recipe (i brewed during Super Bowl Sunday and forgot to top off to 5.5 gallons as per the recipe). Ended up being much darker, high gravity, etc. It's 10 days into bottle conditioning now so we'll see how it ends up. From initial tastes it seems like I could do less chocolate malt (but its not an accurate assessment since my volume was too low). It's like some crazy amber ale/porter hybrid. Hey, "every brew is an adventure," right?
Second batch (using EricCSU's extract recipe): alright...i was focused and on my A-game this time and followed everything to the T. Its currently in the primary and the gravity and color were spot on. I'll keep you updated.
Stone makes Arrogant Bastard correct? I just tried their Oaked Arrogant Bastard. It was definitely good, but honestly I couldn't really taste the "oaked" part of it. I gotta say I won't pay $15 for a 6 pack of it again.
surferdrew
Well-Known Member
They do. Here it is on the Stone Website: Oaked Arrogant Bastard
Also, here are the reviews on BeerAdvocate: Oaked Arrogant Bastard
I agree, unless you love it, not worth the $15 for a sixer.
dunnright00
Well-Known Member
Huh. I don't know why I thought it was voted "not cloned". I must have been thinking of a different brew.
I actually went back to listen to it today, and realized that I never actually finished listening to it!
Surferdrew,
How did that second batch turn out? Did you get a pretty good match? thanks
Thor the Mighty
Well-Known Member
coming from someone who named their beer "smash ale"...?
I think ruination is a bad ass name.
ndhoffma
Well-Known Member
They just recently started distributing near me... glad to finally try some of their stuff, & definitely want to try making something similar to some of their brews.... I may try the suggested recipe for this clone or see what there is for arrogant bastard
Pivot
Well-Known Member
It was a smash so i just put smash. It's not a name it's a designation. I wouldn't name a beer Smash Ale and expect people to buy it anymore than I would call a beer Ruination, which I still maintain is a stupid name.
Thanks for coming out though Thor the Mighty.... now THAT'S a fantastic original name! Wish I grabbed it first. How about you take that big hammer of yours and smash your computer with it so I don't have to read any more of your stupid comments.
SamuraiSquirrel
Well-Known Member
Ruination is an awesome name IMO.
dunnright00
Well-Known Member
Pivot
Well-Known Member
I don't understand why you people are attacking me. I expressed an opinion, and now people are telling me to suck it and taking crappy pot shots at me. Whatever boys and girls (mostly girls), If I think Stone Ruination is a stupid crappy name, then thats my opinion. I didn't say anything about you so lets leave the name calling and bad words for the playground, sound good?
dunnright00
Well-Known Member
Did you not see the
smiley?That is an indication that it is all in good fun. Jovial boys poking fun and having a good laugh!
<- See?!
Pivot
Well-Known Member
haha fair enough, I guess I'm just a little touchy after the last comment.
For the record, I do love the beer, just not the name
For the record, I do love the beer, just not the name
