Busch clone recipe anyone?

[S3NTYN3L]

Now, before anyone starts with the flaming, (yes, I've searched and this forum seems to hate AB for whatever reason), I'm looking to make this because it's what my father drinks.

I'm thinking about buying the equipment and doing everything at his place.
My reasoning is 1) he and I don't really talk to/see each other like we used to, so it would be a reason for me to stop by more often and, 2) I feel he needs a more productive hobby than simply buying a case of beer and getting drunk while watching TV or tinkering in the garage.

Yeah, I know it's a very crappy beer, but I KNOW he won't be into trying any of the more flavorful/exotic home brew recipes most seem to enjoy.

If there's another big-name brand that would be similar and/or you think he might prefer, by all means, post the clone.


Well, let's have your suggestions!

 

[hodge]

I'd recommend that you look at recipes for Light American Lagers. There is a nice recipe section here on HBT with the more popular recipes receiving star ratings. If you're feeling up to it, maybe switch it up on him with a Classic American Pilsner.

Best of luck to you, from what I hear light american lagers are really tough to clone in the homebrew setting (not much room for error).

BTW I think it's great you're doing what you're doing.

 

[Brewskii]

If you don't have temp control to do lagers or even if you do but you have never done one before don't do it with this beer.

The best alternative is to look for a cream ale recipie that is around OG 1.045 and uses corn ( flaked or starch or even sugar( dextrose)) as an adjunct and as an IBU of no more than 12 ( ultimately you control this so don't be tempted into using a whole ounce or whatever because you don't want left- overs).

Even closer, use a Kolsch yeast like WLP029 to pitch it and regardless of the yeast, let it condition for 4 weeks once it's in the bottle or keg or the hops will be too strong.

 

[FredTheNuke]

If you would like a recipe:

Add 5 gallons of water to a boil kettle
Add 25 drops of beer flavoring
Stir until well blended

Funny enough it is one of the more difficult brews because the slightest error will reflect in the flavor. And like mentioned above the temperature control and a lot more equipment than an ale type brew is required. If you have an old chest freezer buy an advanced homebrew kit, a 7 gallon boil kettle and a $70 temperature controller and you can make this style of brew.

 

[bobbrews]

ABV: 4.6%
2-row, 6-row, Munich Malts
10-20% Flaked Corn
High Fructose Corn Syrup
U.S. grown Cascade, Glacier, Millennium, and European Strisselspalt
The cheapest high floc, low attenuating dry yeast you can find

 

[S3NTYN3L]

He does have a chest type freezer in the basement.
I'll probably end up buying him a kegerator or three for Christmas since, if things go well, I've a feeling he'll want a never ending supply, lol...


@FredTheNuke:
25 drops of beer flavoring huh?
I'm pretty sure he'd notice the lack of alcohol.



So, some kind of cream ale or a light lager huh?

Thanks for the feedback, I'll look into it.

 

[smakudwn]

A Kölsch is a good way to go also. My FIL is a strict Beast drinker and he really enjoyed my Kölsch.

 

[Brewskii]

Not to insult anyone at NewGlarus but if you want to simplify things this is a beer that he would likely enjoy...

http://www.northernbrewer.com/documentation/beerkits/PM-SpeckledHeifer.pdf

It's a clone of Spotted Cow which is a regional cream ale offering. Use the wlp029 and make a starter. He'll like it.

 

[FredTheNuke]

He does have a chest type freezer in the basement.
I'll probably end up buying him a kegerator or three for Christmas since, if things go well, I've a feeling he'll want a never ending supply, lol...


@FredTheNuke:
25 drops of beer flavoring huh?
I'm pretty sure he'd notice the lack of alcohol.



So, some kind of cream ale or a light lager huh?

Thanks for the feedback, I'll look into it.

I have no room to talk. When drinking commercial brew I like Coors Light and Michelob Ultra.... LOL. I typically brew Pillsner Urquell clones. I prefer the all barley homebrew.

 

[bbrim]

The reason I hate AB, and I think many of the other users as well, is not because of the quality of their product but because they actively seek to destroy any entrepreneurial spirit in the industry. Their brewers are extremely skilled.
To make a Busch like beer you will probably want to go between 60-70% 6-row and all the rest flaked corn. Mash very low, like 148. Run a solid 90 min boil and be sure to chill very quickly, this will keep out any funky malt flavors you don't want (I have had too many DMS issues in my pursuit of the perfect blond ale). Keep the IBUs low and run a clean controlled fermentation, lots of yeast.
Best of luck to you. Brewing has helped my dad and I connect more so I understand this. Unfortunately mine lives across the country so we have only brewed together once.

 

[bobbrews]

The website for Busch actually says 2-row, 6-row, munich, and corn.

 

[Cubslover]

I'd go
5# 2 Row
3# Corn
.5# Vienna
.25# Aromatic

1oz Saaz 4% - 30min

 

[Brewskii]

I'd go
5# 2 Row
3# Corn
.5# Vienna
.25# Aromatic

1oz Saaz 4% - 30min

+1: the reason for 6 row is lost on homebrewing. You will need a touch of specialty malt and these are as good as any. I probably swap a pound of corn with a pound of 2 row... I don't think the corn is higher than 30% max.

 

[shihan]

Here is the clone for Busch. I drank it 40 years ago and from time to time drink it for nostalgia's sake.

https://www.brewtoad.com/recipes/busch-clone

shihan

 

[CHARR0N]

I realize this thread is a bit stale, but my hubby prefers Busch over any other beer *shrugs* I appreciate the link to the recipe/kit at Brewtoad, but I can't help but notice that the recipe calls for 5 lbs Rahr 6 row, but the kit does not include it...

I have to admit I've only ever brewed with simple, turn-key kits. I'm trying to upgrade my experiences (and my beers) but I'm a bit lost in the terminology. Lil help?

 

[chickypad]

I realize this thread is a bit stale, but my hubby prefers Busch over any other beer *shrugs* I appreciate the link to the recipe/kit at Brewtoad, but I can't help but notice that the recipe calls for 5 lbs Rahr 6 row, but the kit does not include it...

I have to admit I've only ever brewed with simple, turn-key kits. I'm trying to upgrade my experiences (and my beers) but I'm a bit lost in the terminology. Lil help?

That is an all grain recipe, which sounds like you are not doing? I'm not really familiar with Brewtoad but it looks like they have paired with Morebeer and will take any recipe then put those things in your cart, but you're not buying a kit rather you're buying default quantities. For example they have you buying a lb of irish moss at $14 which is ridiculous, not to mention as you point out they have left out the entire base malt contribution. You don't want to buy kits that way. I would suggest you get an actual cream ale kit like this, or find a cream ale extract recipe and buy ingredients yourself.

 

[spinner66]

You may want to try Biermuncher's cream of three crops recipe from this forum. I've had quite a few people who are BMC drinkers return to the tap a few times. It's a brew that is ready quickly and drops clear as a bell. Give it a couple of weeks to "age" and it's much better. Good luck.

 

[shihan]

I remembered seeing this recipe on another site. I have never used this recipe but here it is:

Busch clone
an All Grain Specialty Beer by adkjoe

Fermentables

Amount Fermentable Maltster Use PPG Color

5.0 lb Rahr 6-Row Any Mash 34 2 °L
1.0 lb Corn Sugar/Dextrose Any Boil 46 0 °L
1.0 lb Corn, Flaked Any Mash 37 1 °L
1.0 lb Rice, Flaked Any Mash 32 1 °L
0.5 lb Carapils® Malt Briess Mash 34 1 °L

Hops

Amount Hop Time Use Form AA

0.5 oz Columbus (US) 15 min Boil Pellet 15.4%
0.5 oz Cascade (NZ) 5 min Boil Pellet 5.5%

Yeasts

Name Lab/Product Attenuation

Burton Ale Yeast White Labs WLP023 73.0%

Extras

Amount Name Time Use

1.0 tbs Irish Moss 5.0 min Boil


Let us know how this turns out.
Shihan