Founders Curmudgeon Better Half (Old Ale) clone recipe

[JMK1992]

Hi all, trying to get a recipe to brew a clone of this beer for my fathers birthday but I am struggling. Does anyone have any idea about the grain bill. Was thinking of maris otter, munich light, equal parts crystal 60L and 120L, and maybe some type of biscuit/honey malt? Also plan to add molasses to the boil.

I have been told that founders used a clean, neutral American house yeast for this one. Was thinking maybe WLP060?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[snowboardin58]

You're in luck! https://beerandbrewing.com/founders-curmudgeon-ale-recipe

You'll need to figure out how to get the maple to stick around, but it can certainly be done. Best way is a maple syrup bourbon barrel but that may not be an option.

 

[JMK1992]

You're in luck! https://beerandbrewing.com/founders-curmudgeon-ale-recipe

You'll need to figure out how to get the maple to stick around, but it can certainly be done. Best way is a maple syrup bourbon barrel but that may not be an option.

Yea I don't have a barrel. What I have been doing for the last two months is soaking oak chips in maple syrup. When I brew the beer I will take the chips out of the maple syrup and soak them in bourbon and see if that works.

 

[JMK1992]

Can't believe that recipe was posted by Jeremy. I am surprised that there are only four malts in this. I had thought there might be another crystal and or maybe biscuit malt

 

[snowboardin58]

I think next time I go for maple in my beer, I might try cold-crashing and fining to remove most of the yeast first, and do my best to keep the beer cold from that point on. I doubt there would be enough maple sugar in any bottles to cause bottle bombs at that point, either.

I also have to believe Founders is retiring Curmudgeon from their distribution lineup. I don't see it on the 2019 calendar and Better Half was last done a year ago. Hopefully they'll divulge some more recipes!

 

[JMK1992]

Yea my dad and I love better half. There is a website in Europe I can get it from for £2.50 a bottle so I might stock up on it. I imagine it will age well! Such a shame there aren't more old ales about.

 

[snowboardin58]

That's a great price! I live 10 min from the brewery and I pay $4 USD. It does age well, although I recall hearing the 2012 bath taking on what some folks described as "minty" if stored too warm. However, I opened a bottle of 2012 last year and did not taste any off-flavors whatsoever!

 

[JMK1992]

I live in Ireland no chance of it getting to warm here!

 

[Gregg Casey]

This is great! Curmudgeon Better Half is one of my favorite beers and they say they are not making it this year.
NOTE: this recipe seems to be for the non-"better half" version so it may need some changes if you are trying to duplicate that. (I am going to try.)
If anyone else does, please share your experiences!

 

[JMK1992]

What changes are you thinking of? I have my oak chips soaking in Maple syrup at the minute and have been for the last two months then will take them out and add bourbon

 

[Gregg Casey]

Well I am thinking that better half says it has both molasses and pancake syrup so I may do something with both.
Also, I am concerned that the syrup/molasses will fill/clog the pours in the wood chips and prevent the bourbon from taking hold. So I think I will use two separate batches of wood chips.
And figure out when to add pancake syrup directly- maybe in the fermenter?
Warning: I am no expert!

 

[JMK1992]

Don't worry either am I!!! Yea I am worried that soaking the oak chips in the maple syrup will ferment out in the secondary