New Belgium Dig Clone

[jakenbacon]

As far as I've found on the forum, no one else has brewed up a clone and posted a recipe.

I'll be bottling me 1st attempt this weekend, so I'll have a better idea in a few weeks.

I did toss in 1/2oz Nelson & 1/2 Target to dry hop for 5 days. Wishing I had some more Ace to use as a dry hop as well.

Keep us updated sir.......

 

[atimmerman88]

Going to bottles tomorrow

 

[atimmerman88]

TTT -

Taste Test Time

 

[victornixon]

Great color, I know it's lighter than theirs, but I think it's a better looking beer for sure. Looking forward to the tasting notes!

 

[atimmerman88]

I didn't have time last night to type up what I thought.

So here it is, I'm still learning to describe things well so bare with me.

Mine is definitely has more hop presence both by aroma and taste. I'm getting more lemon and grassyness from mine than in the new belgium. Color is pretty obvious that mine is a touch lighter. Head retention was the same, the original had more lacing than might.

I'm getting similar breadyness/biscuity taste that I get from Fat Tire as well. I'm going to say that it is from the yeast. I used Pacman and there isn't any notes from the yeast in mine. Mine is a little more full bodied but I point that at my not so great attenuation. Overall I'd say similar but it needs some refinement. I don't think I'd dry hop this like I did, I wasn't getting near the level of grassyness before I dry hoped it. I would also look at a different yeast. Maybe an abbey yeast or something else that is used in Fat Tire clones.

 

[signpost]

Awesome pics. And good info on your description of how the recipe turned out.

I've recently had some Dig and it isn't like I remember it from last year. I have a feeling that is mostly due to a better developed palette. Last year, I kept telling my wife Dig tasted like dirt. In a good way. Earthy, right? This year, I don't get nearly as strong of an earthy character. I'm sure it is possible that they changed the recipe a bit from last year's version, but I think it is mostly a fine tuning of my taste buds that has changed my perception.

It is funny, though. The Ranger IPA now seems to taste very similar to what I remember Dig tasting like. I really want to try Rampant, their new doubleIPA, but I haven't seen it in the stores I've visited since it was released.

 

[bd2xu]

One thing I noticed, like in many beers, Dig on tap very different than in bottle. I first had it on tap and I really remember the lemon flavor. Then I had it in the bottle, and it was good, but that lemon flavor from the Sorachi Ace did not come through nearly as strong.

 

[victornixon]

Nice description of the tasting and comparison. I didn't have it last year, but this year I thought it was earthy for sure. Didn't get a taste of it on tap, but my dad did and said it was better than bottles. I too really like the Ranger and have tried Rampant. I was not that impressed with Rampant. If you are a fan of the West coast IPA style, don't expect that from it.

If I were to attempt a Dig clone I would probably go for a Belgian yeast that leaves a minimal amount of the Belgian charachteritc esters.

 

[bulldogbrewhaus]

@atimmerman88-Which hop did you end up using for bittering? I am pretty sure that the yeast is not a belgian strain, it is pretty clean without much of an estery flavor. I would guess good old fashioned 1056 or maybe Cali/Northwest ale. Dennys fav 50 is an interesting strain, I have used it a couple times. I have found that it retains malt flavors well, and is pretty clean to finish. Might be a good choice for this beer. Keep us updated on how this turns out. I am going to attempt a clone as soon as I have more time.

 

[atimmerman88]

I've been tinkering around on hopville:

http://hopville.com/recipe/1665806

Thats the recipe I used ---

I'll up date with what I dry hopped it with tonight.

I only used 1/2oz target & 1/2oz nelson

 

[bd2xu]

Doing this recipe, 10 gallons, now.


http://www.brewtoad.com/recipes/1665806

 

[bd2xu]

Hit the numbers pretty close, a couple points low. Fermenting half with S-04 and the other half S-05. Ambient temp is 70 and they are in swamp coolers, changing out a frozen two liter in each every 12 hours. Fermentation strong now on both after about 12 hours.

 

[atimmerman88]

Let us know the results

 

[bulldogbrewhaus]

Well it took a long time but i finally decided to take a stab at making a dig inspired beer. Here is what I am going to do tomorrow.

5.6% ABV
43 IBUs
11 SRM

10lb 2-row
1lb 80l
.25lb Victory
.25lb Biscuit

.5oz Nugget @ 60
.5oz Nelson Sauvin @ 15
.5oz Sorachi Ace @ 5
.5oz Nelson Sauvin @ 5
.5oz Nugget @ 5
1oz Cascade @ 0
.5oz Sorachi Ace @ 0
1oz Sorachi Ace Dry hop for 3-5 days
1oz Nelson Sauvin Dry hop for 3-5 days

Whirfloc and a pinch of yeast nutrient @ 10 or so

Wyeast Dennys Favorite 50

My lhbs didn't have target so i decided to use the nugget since I was already buying some. The IBUs are a little high at 43, but based on the hops I bought it made sense to do it like this. Thanks everyone for your contribution to this thread.

 

[signpost]

I'll be looking forward to hearing how it turns out.

 

[bulldogbrewhaus]

Brew day went pretty well, I will let everyone know how it turns out. I don't know if I will be able to get any Dig in time to do a side by side. I may change up the dry hop schedule as well.

 

[bd2xu]

I'm still drinking bottles of this one, it's been a very popular brew. The Nelson has a really unique flavor.

 

[bulldogbrewhaus]

I'm still drinking bottles of this one, it's been a very popular brew. The Nelson has a really unique flavor.

The link to your recipe won't work for me, not sure if anyone else is having the same problem. Would you mind posting it to the thread?

 

[bd2xu]

Here's the recipe I used. Turned out well. Not sure how close, I haven't done a side by side yet. I know that I was very impressed with Dig on tap, lots of lemon aroma and flavor, was not as impressive in the bottle but still good. I get a lot of compliments on this beer.

View attachment Trench Pale Ale.pdf

 

[Slapnik]

Have you tweaked this recipe at all since you brewed it years ago? I need this beer back in my life