American Wheat Beer Gumballhead inspired WPA

[mixmasterob]

Just bottled cuinrearview's recipe yesterday... I followed the above recommendations for an exact Gumballhead clone and, based on a taste of the uncarbonated beer (I don't have a kegging system so am bottle conditioning) it is going to be really, really close. Regardless, the beer tastes really good! The hop aroma is dead on in a side to side comparison. Thanks much for the recipe and I will forward a review and a couple pics when it is ready...

So you dropped the CaraVienne to 1/2lb?

 

[sfinger]

So you dropped the CaraVienne to 1/2lb?

I did. I was originally going to do cuinrearview's exact recipe but since I am fortunate enough to be able to visit Three Floyds once in a while I decided to see how close the recommendations would come to the real thing. I'll let you know...

 

[mixmasterob]

Just bottled cuinrearview's recipe yesterday... I followed the above recommendations for an exact Gumballhead clone and, based on a taste of the uncarbonated beer (I don't have a kegging system so am bottle conditioning) it is going to be really, really close. Regardless, the beer tastes really good! The hop aroma is dead on in a side to side comparison. Thanks much for the recipe and I will forward a review and a couple pics when it is ready...

So what exactly did you grain bill look like? Did you add any CaraPils? I am definitely looking for a less sweet version. Can anyone weigh in on the original? It is pretty sweet?

 

[sfinger]

So what exactly did you grain bill look like? Did you add any CaraPils? I am definitely looking for a less sweet version. Can anyone weigh in on the original? It is pretty sweet?

This is what I used:

Cara 20L 1/2 lb crushed
American 2-Row, 1lb crushed
White Wheat, 1lb crushed

My local home brew shop was out of wheat DME so I substituted with 6lbs of Briess Wheat Unhopped LME.

I followed the Amarillo whole hop schedule exactly, including the Amarillo dry hop, but did not add the Simcoe which Cuinrearview suggested as I wanted to try his opinion on a closer duplication of the original. I'll let you know how it comes out in a few weeks...

 

[jarod7736]

Just put this in the keg sunday morning. Currently sitting in the keezer chilling & carbing up. Does this need time to age at a higher temp? The sample was fantastic, hopefully it'll be ready to drink this weekend.

 

[mixmasterob]

Just put this in the keg sunday morning. Currently sitting in the keezer chilling & carbing up. Does this need time to age at a higher temp? The sample was fantastic, hopefully it'll be ready to drink this weekend.

Did you use the original recipe?

 

[jarod7736]

Did you use the original recipe?

Yep. It was in the primary for 14 days, and then dry hopped for another 7.

 

[mixmasterob]

Solid. I am torn between brewing the original recipe or the altered version with less CaraVienne. I ordered both grain bills so I may just brew both, its going to be a hot summer. Each would look like this.

1LB 2-Row
1LB White Wheat
1LB CaraVienne

5LBS Wheat DME
Hopped with Amarillo
S-05
__

1LB 2-Row
1LB White Wheat
1/4LB CaraVienne
1/4LB CaraPils

5LBS Wheat DME
Hopped with Citra, Centennial or Summit, haven't decided yet.
S-05

 

[boralyl]

I brewed this beer about 1 1/2 months ago and it's been bottled for over 3 weeks. I followed the original recipe exactly. This was my very first "mini-mash" but after consulting cuinrearview and then gathering the extra equipment this came out perfect. My Original Gravity came out to 1.051. I had it in primary for 10 days and reached a final gravity of 1.010. I then dry hopped it in a secondary fermenter for another 10 days. The abv came out to 5.44%.

I was fortunate enough to receive a 6 pack of the original gumballhead in a trade so I was able to compare the 2. Unfortunately I didn't make notes but from what I recall my beer was a bit darker, sweeter, and had more of a fruit hop. Gumballhead had more of flowery, skunky(in a good way) hop flavor. I still have a few of each so I'll do a more detailed comparison later.

All of my friends and their parents loved this beer. Even my friends who don't drink craft couldn't get enough. I'll definitely be brewing this one again.

 

[boralyl]

Now that I have poured both I'll explains the differences.

Appearance - The "clone" is about two shades darker, but both are pretty clear. They both produce a nice white head, although the "clone" has better retention.

Aroma - The gumballhead has a more citrusy nose, while the clone has more fruit present, although the citrus is there. I'm guessing this is coming from the simcoe used in the dry hopping.

Mouthfeel/Body - Both are about the same when it comes to body, although the clone is a bit creamier.

Taste - Both have a nice citrus and wheat flavor, but the clone is a little sweeter. Gumballhead also has a more apparent floral hop flavor. The sweetness in the clone probably covers this up a bit.

These are both very good beers. I wish gumballhead was distributed near me, but unfortunately that's not the case. I think I may prefer the "clone" a little bit more, it seems to match my personal tastes better.

 

[cuinrearview]

This is still the best recipe that I've come up with. As Boralyl attested, everyone seems to like this beer. I don't know how many people have shelved the BMC they brought to a party at my house to suck on these all night. And his pictures are like porn to me as I've been delving into all-grain and when I get a chance to brew I've been using home-grown hops. So many experiments, so little time.......

To answer some questions:

When plugged into Beersmith I get around 25-30 IBU depending on leaf or pellet hops and the AA%. That's where I try to keep it. The '09 leaf Amarillo that I bought last fall from Hopsdirect was seeded and 9.4% AA. Maybe I'm crazy but the seeds seem to add a catty/nutty mix to the beer. Dunno.

mixmasterob: If you want a more lawnmower style I would go for the advice on trying to actually clone Gumballhead. The side by side pics above actually look more golden than I remember the real thing being. You'll get something good either way and probably win an award with my original recipe but it is just a little sweet for the style. You won't lose with either of your recipes I promise! My one experience with Summit was a let-down. Centennial is a favorite and I usually have some around since I grow it. I haven't used Citra but I want too. Would be good to hear how it does with this recipe.

sfinger: VERY interested for a side by side of a recipe following my recommendations. I really think that the extra "sweet bread" taste brought to the table by the caravienne is essential but your feedback will tell the story. It was a long drive there after a day of kayaking here but I think that it should be pretty close.

jarod: Aging actually hurts this beer in my experience. I start drinking them after a week as long as they are carbed and the flavor falls off from there.

In early January I started brewing all-grain. Due to moving and all that that entails my brewing has been limited. I intend to try to nail this with the new process but it'll be a bit because I keep telling SWMBO how great her brown and kolsch will be on tap(finally have enough room for a draft system). Please keep the pictures and feedback coming and sharing this wonderful brew. Looks like I should check this a bit more often

 

[sfinger]

sfinger: VERY interested for a side by side of a recipe following my recommendations. I really think that the extra "sweet bread" taste brought to the table by the caravienne is essential but your feedback will tell the story. It was a long drive there after a day of kayaking here but I think that it should be pretty close.QUOTE]

Will let you know cuinrearview, a couple more weeks and I'll give it a try (bottled on 6/6)...

Thanks,
Scott

 

[mixmasterob]

I am brewing the altered recipe as I type this. Gonna hop with amarillo, I am pretty exited about this one.
1LB 2-Row
1LB White Wheat
1/4LB CaraVienne
1/4LB CaraPils

I am going to add a 10 minute addition of Amarillo as well, 1/2oz.

 

[mixmasterob]

Also, I am contemplating using Nottingham instead of US05. I had the best attenuation to date using Nottingham in my last batch, I have had problems with US05 in the past. Any suggestions? Either way?

EDIT: For the record, I went with US05.

 

[mixmasterob]

Not sure why these uploaded sideways, but you get the picture. Pitched the yeast @ 7pm yesterday. Woke up to this, looks like it got a nice quick start.

 

[eriktlupus]

ya know what "c"? i feel the need to brew again and i think i'll try this one. what you doing on sunday morning early afternoon? my swmbo has to cover for a vacay so i'm open.

 

[cuinrearview]

sfinger: VERY interested for a side by side of a recipe following my recommendations. I really think that the extra "sweet bread" taste brought to the table by the caravienne is essential but your feedback will tell the story. It was a long drive there after a day of kayaking here but I think that it should be pretty close.QUOTE]

Will let you know cuinrearview, a couple more weeks and I'll give it a try (bottled on 6/6)...

Thanks,
Scott

I wouldn't hesitate to chill one and try it now Scott. One of the things that I really liked about this beer was that as soon as it carbed it was ready to drink. It really tastes good fresh, and the hops seem to fade quickly, at least to my palate.

 

[cuinrearview]

Not sure why these uploaded sideways, but you get the picture. Pitched the yeast @ 7pm yesterday. Woke up to this, looks like it got a nice quick start.

I've yet to try Notty with this recipe and don't think I'll mess with a good thing. I like US-05 better in all of my hoppy beers but that's strictly my opinion. If you can get that carboy any cooler mix I'd highly suggest it. I usually primary in the low 60s. It definately slows things down as I never have it start that quick but I like this beer CLEAN. That being said I'm anxious to hear how it comes out. It'll be a nice summer beer for sure!

Erik: Sorry to hear 'bout the downed tree man. Nothing I'd rather do on Father's Day than run a saw in 80 degree weather. I would like to brew again with you and I actually thought about it the other day while talking to the guy on my line that I got started. He's planning on doing a couple batches of the WPA over his shutdown and wants to get together. He's still a couple brewdays from cutting the cord. Initially I thought I'd take a stab at it with all-grain but if I don't make Shannon something soon I fear my days of brewing may be numbered. But if he was doing my original recipe and you maybe trying something that we come up with AG it would be interesting. Just throwing it out there.

 

[sfinger]

I wouldn't hesitate to chill one and try it now Scott. One of the things that I really liked about this beer was that as soon as it carbed it was ready to drink. It really tastes good fresh, and the hops seem to fade quickly, at least to my palate.

Thanks for the heads up Cuinrearview, I was going to let it go another week but took your advice and threw a sixer of them in the cooler for a father's day party...they were definitely ready--the carbonation and mouthfeel was very close to the original. Obviously, the clone (brewed extract) came out a bit darker than the original but that was to be expected. Again, pics attached are from a blackberry but you get the idea.

The clone is very close in taste to the original, fresh and with Amarillo coming through strong. The nose is a bigger Amarillo hoppiness on the original than the clone, maybe I needed a bit more Amarillo in the dry hop?

The beer tasted great--everyone wanted more and the recipe is very close to the original. If you want it close go with cuinrearview's suggestions. I am curious if anyone has suggestions on how to get more initial hop aroma as that, besides color, was the only major difference between the OG and the Clone...

I will certainly brew this again and other than trying to bump up the initial hop aroma hit, which is really no huge deal, I don't think I will mess with the recipe as I really like how it came out. I think cuinrearview's recommended changes from his recipe if you want to get close to the original are good ones--everyone agreed it was a good, fresh tasting beer that was not too far off the stuff from Munster...

 

[jarod7736]

Wow, I let this sit in the keg another week, and am dry hopping in the keg, and it's very very good. It's going to go fast. It's WAY too easy to drink. I haven't had the original (can't get it in TX) but am heading to IL in a couple weeks, so i'll try to pick some up.

 

[bigbopper]

thinking of trying this one,how would this be with all simcoe ?

 

[pinkfloyd4ever]

it would be a very different beer

not that it'd be bad, just saying it wont taste like gumballhead

 

[cuinrearview]

I won't brew it with all Simcoe because it's a really, really good beer as is but I wouldn't advise against it. It would probably come out very good. The fact is the original recipe was never an attempt to nail Gumballhead, just to make an american style wheat beer hopped up with Amarillo. As far as I know Simcoe doesn't even belong in a true "clone" recipe but I've never minded. As the thread title states this recipe was only inspired by GH. The results were so good that even after having sampled the real deal at Three Floyd's and coming up with ideas for tweaks I still brew my original recipe. That being said I'm sure the grain/ME bill with all Simcoe hops would probably be very good. Brew it and post up your results!

 

[boralyl]

I just got all of my equipment to do all grain. How would I modify the malt bill to convert the recipe?

 

[cuinrearview]

I've switched to all-grain myself this year but have yet to give this beer a try due to limited brewing. I have, however, thought about what I will do when I finally get to try it. I always used Briess wheat DME when I made it and it is labeled as 60/40 wheat to barley. I would use a pound of caravienne, that shouldn't change. Add to that enough 2-row and wheat malt in a 60% wheat and 40% 2-row ratio to get a starting gravity around 1.052 depending on the efficiancy of your system. I'm not in front of Beersmith right now to plug in the numbers but off the top of my head I think around 10lbs. of grain total would put you in the ballpark at 75% efficiancy. That grain bill should make a beer that's pretty close. After that it would be just tweaking to taste. As far as the white wheat it could be subbed for a lb. of the wheat malt but I don't think it would be necessary. I hope this helps and I'm sorry I can't give you something exact.

 

[boralyl]

Thanks for the information, I'll plug some numbers in BeerSmith and see what I come up with. I'm looking to brew this in another 2 weeks. I'll post my results when I get them calculated.

 

[mixmasterob]

just got around the bottling my batch on saturday. it was on the dry hops for 2 weeks. i just wasn't able to bottle til now. well see how it turns out.

 

[ndhoffma]

I made a variation on this (bought some of the wrong stuff on accident), ended up winning a contest with it - Now I gotta try making it to the recipe, see how it compares

 

[cuinrearview]

Interested to hear what your recipe was nd, with a description of the beer.

 

[ndhoffma]

The recipe I made was the same as the posted one, except with 2 of the 5lbs wheat DME replaced with light DME. Turned out to be a pretty well balanced, not overly hoppy pale ale. Very light in color for the flavor that it had.