how to plan first custom beer?

[spam]

I would like my next batch to be my own rather than a kit. I know what commercial beers I like, and I know what flavors I like and don't like.

Is there a source out there that will say something like : "malt extract(x) is much like the malt used in acme beer"? or "acme beer has a (blank) type hop flavor" ?

here is a list of some beers that I enjoy and comments on them,maybe this will help you point me in the rite direction....

sams boston lager : good but a little rich/strong/heavy slight "burnt flavor"

amstel lite: great lite beer but has a slight metallic background flavor and is a bit fizzy

guinnss: love it but has that "burnt" flavor after a few

victory storm king: LOVE it LOVE it,great hopp flavor,but to much booze! to drunk to quick!

long trail ale: love it! well,lacks a tiny bit of hopp flavor but still love it!

 

[Fj3fury]

You can check the recipe section and get a feel of those listed. The clones are probably clearly listed along with comments on those that are close to a specific type.

 

[unionrdr]

You could try searching the recipes at the very top of the forums page. I have my own extract recipes for APA,IPA,whiskey ale,etc. But non of those you mentioned. The recipe section may have something to your liking. We're working on a SA summer ale clone now,1st attempt. And my 1st try at bring back the #3 Burton ale of the late 1800's.

 

[bmeyer46]

what I do is go the the brewerys website, and often times they DO list the ingredients..just not the amounts.
Then use Beertools, beersmith..etc.. to pick the beer style, then add ingredients till you meet the guidelines listed.
just from 5 minutes of poking around, sam adams uses 2 row malt and mittlefruh hops in their boston lager...I'm sure a bit more research would yield more clues.

Longtrail pretty much lists all the ingredients for the ale.

Storm king has pacific northwest hops..etc..etc.

 

[kyleobie]

When I started out I really liked BeerCalculus. It will tell you whether you're within the style guidelines for IBUs, color, and body. Also there's a slider on the side that tells you how malty/bitter it will be.

I'd start with an existing recipe, play around with it in BeerCalculus, and see what kind of feedback you get on forums. I learned a lto that way.

 

[william_shakes_beer]

I usually google the beer I like something like this "Guiness clone extract recipie" it will link you back to a thread on this site that provides both an initial recipie and a discussion thread. Also, My LHBW has a few recipies that are intended to be clones. Find a recipie for something one you like as a starting point.

 

[imperialipa]

Between reading "Designing Great Beers" and using Beersmith I have made an IPA of my own creating and a dunkelweizen. Both turned out great.

The book gives you some base guidelines of what different styles of beers typically use grain/yeast wise and in what percentages.

Then you can plug in a recipie into beersmith to fine tune the color ibu and gravity.

 

[jigidyjim]

I usually find a few different recipes for a style, then mix and match parts of them and see what happens. I'm not ready to go completely from the top of my head yet, and this is a good way to conservatively "create my own".