Nugget Nectar Clone

[bobbrews]

i wasn't too impressed with this years batch, it didnt have enough flavor from the hops. It was more of an imperial amber, its good but not what i was expecting after last years batch. It seemed to have a more pronounced hop profile last year.

Disagreed. This years was the best I've ever tasted it in the past 4 or 5 years. It's less fruity/peachy, and has more of that dank Tomahawk and piney Simcoe focus. Drier than usual too, which I appreciated. Nugget Nectar is supposed to be a very Hoppy Imperial Amber / Quasi-IPA... not a sweet/cloying malty amber.

 

[kpr121]

Disagreed. This years was the best I've ever tasted it in the past 4 or 5 years. It's less fruity/peachy, and has more of that dank Tomahawk and piney Simcoe focus. Drier than usual too, which I appreciated. Nugget Nectar is supposed to be a very Hoppy Imperial Amber / Quasi-IPA... not a sweet/cloying malty amber.

I agree 100 percent. NN is the beer that put me over the top obsessed for craft beer about 5 years ago. I’ve bought a case every year since and this year’s is by far the best I’ve had. That says a lot especially considering the palate adjustment that like for many others has progressed over the years on me (i.e. Stone IPA, DFH 60min, SN Pale Ale, etc. is not the same as I remembered tasting it for the first time).

 

[kpr121]

The first keg of this batch is just starting to be fully carbed, and I have to say that it is VERY close, at least to me, my wife, and my beer drinkin buddy (disclaimer: none of us are BJCP judges or anything). We tasted it side by side with relatively fresh NN, and other than the haze and slight lack of carbonation, it is pretty spot on. I do think that my version may have slightly too much nugget taste and could benefit from the palisades or similar floraly type flavor addition. I was somewhat anticipating this, that’s why I didn’t dry hop with Nugget but I think that was a band-aid I wont use when I rebrew this. I’ve included my probable substitutions below in red.

I decided to tweak the couple different ones I've seen on here with what I had on hand and what I typically like in IPAs, so don't expect this to be a clone, more of a cousin or rude uncle.

Fwh to get a smooth bitterness. 94 IBU calculated but the real thing doesnt taste that bitter. There's some trickeration going on with those trogner bros. If I calculate as a 20 min addition ibus are around 70 which *feels* right.

I didn't have any warrior or Columbus so I went with all nugget, simcoe, and Amarillo in the boil. I may put some nugget into the dry hop too, well see. I figure even if its not the real thing I can't go wrong with that hop schedule.

Grain bill I believe is damn close based on preliminary tastes and color comparison. I did a side by side real thing vs primary sample and the only difference between the two was mine was a little yeasty (expected). There is definitely a lot of Vienna in the real deal.

Keep in mind this is 11.5 gallons to the fermenter.


Recipe: 00014 Nugget Nectar 2013 Clone
Brewer: Kevin
Asst Brewer:
Style: American IPA
TYPE: All Grain
Taste: (30.0)

Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Boil Size: 13.29 gal
Post Boil Volume: 12.48 gal
Batch Size (fermenter): 11.50 gal
Bottling Volume: 11.50 gal
Estimated OG: 1.064 SG
Estimated Color: 7.4 SRM
Estimated IBU: 94.0 IBUs
Brewhouse Efficiency: 70.00 %
Est Mash Efficiency: 73.0 %
Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Ingredients:
------------
Amt Name Type # %/IBU
4.00 tsp Gypsum (Calcium Sulfate) (Mash 60.0 mins Water Agent 1 -
23 lbs Vienna Malt (3.5 SRM) Grain 2 78.6 %
3 lbs 12.0 oz Munich Malt - 10L (10.0 SRM) Grain 3 12.8 %
2 lbs 8.0 oz Pilsner (2 Row) Ger (2.0 SRM) Grain 4 8.5 %
3.00 oz Nugget [13.00 %] - First Wort 60.0 min Hop 5 63.1 IBUs (Drop to 2 oz, no FWH)
2.00 oz Nugget [13.00 %] - Boil 15.0 min Hop 6 19.0 IBUs
1.00 oz Simcoe [13.00 %] - Boil 10.0 min Hop 7 6.9 IBUs
2.00 oz Amarillo Gold [8.50 %] - Boil 5.0 min Hop 8 5.0 IBUs
2.50 oz Nugget [13.00 %] - Boil 0.0 min Hop 9 0.0 IBUs (Drop to 2 oz, Add 2 oz of Palisades/Willamette/other floral variety)
3.00 oz Cascade [5.50 %] - Dry Hop 0.0 Days Hop 10 0.0 IBUs (Substitute for 2 oz same floral variety, 1 oz Nugget)
3.00 oz Simcoe [13.00 %] - Dry Hop 0.0 Days Hop 11 0.0 IBUs


Mash Schedule: Single Infusion, Medium Body, Batch Sparge
Total Grain Weight: 29 lbs 4.0 oz
----------------------------
Name Description Step Temperat Step Time
Mash In Add 37.56 qt of water at 171.2 F 152.0 F 60 min

Sparge: Batch sparge with 4 steps (Drain mash tun, , 2.55gal, 2.55gal, 2.55gal) of 168.0 F water
Notes:

 

[doomXsaloon]

Hey, all...I've been following this thread and have read through all the posts, trying to tweak a recipe. I've noticed that, while people have noted the Bros claim there's 80% Vienna, most of the recipes here have Pilsner malt in its place. So, I'm wondering which to go with as the biggest % . Has anyone brewed both ...one with Vienna, one with Pils as the biggest %? thanks

 

[kpr121]

Hey, all...I've been following this thread and have read through all the posts, trying to tweak a recipe. I've noticed that, while people have noted the Bros claim there's 80% Vienna, most of the recipes here have Pilsner malt in its place. So, I'm wondering which to go with as the biggest % . Has anyone brewed both ...one with Vienna, one with Pils as the biggest %? thanks

I think I might give the Pils a try since I've already done the Vienna... but it wont be until this Fall when I rebrew it.

 

[doomXsaloon]

Ok, so I brewed this Sunday:
BIAB--my first! Got the bag from Wilserbrewer here
Did a 4.2 gal batch, b/c the grains and water wouldn't quite fit in my 10 gal pot; as my first BIAB, 4 gal better than 5, in case it didn't turn out well!
Used two helpful links:
http://www.simplebiabcalculator.com/
http://www.rackers.org/calcs.shtml

So I tweaked the recipe based on all of the recipes here...(thanks all for posting!)

9 1/2 # Vienna
1 1/2 # Pilsner
1 1/2 # Munich
1 tsp gypsum
(Duh, I meant it to be 9.5. 1.5, 1.5, but little confusion @ the home brew shop!)

3/4 oz nugget pellet @ 60 min
3/4 oz simcoe leaf @ 20 m
3/4 oz columbus leaf @ 15
3/4 oz warrior pellet @10
3/4 oz palisades leaf @ 5
3/4 oz nugget leaf @1
3/4 oz nugget leaf -whirlpool 20 min

US-05

dry hop: nugget, (prob) warrior

60 min mash @ 154
10 min mash out @ 170
75 min boil

1.050 pre-boil gravity

1.080 measured OG (Looks like 80% efficiency!)
99 IBU
8.3% abv

color looked great; test flask tasted promising
fermentation is heartily underway @ 65 degrees!

2 weeks primary; 2 secondary in keg, dry hop, carb, enjoy....

 

[kpr121]

That looks like a pretty good stab, doomXsaloon! Congrats on your first BIAB recipe! Sounds like youre on your way to a good clone!

 

[doomXsaloon]

oh, man...the airlock bubbles smell hop-deli-icious!

 

[mattmeiske12]

Just drank one of mine today. I used the recipe from the one of the original threads, the 2-row/Vienna/Munich/Crustal 120 recipe. Even though I only got about 6.5%abv, it's very similar to the real thing. Turned out great and it's going fast!

 

[NervousDad]

I'm heading to Troegs Monday to pickup a case or two It's released early this year! Can't wait.

 

[reddskinnfan]

I'm heading to Troegs Monday to pickup a case or two It's released early this year! Can't wait.

Please let me know if you were able to get it and the cost. Will drive to PA this weekend to get it if necessary.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Home Brew mobile app

 

[stompbox]

I was there Saturday, excitedly got 2 growlers of it without trying it because I had my kids with me. I got home, poured a glass, and...... I was disappointed.

The caramel flavors don't come through, the bitterness is there but hop flavors are not there.... It really was not that great.

I have been drinking NN for a long time and it is always a number one beer.

Last year's was not as good as the previous and this one is even worse.

Hopefully since they are making several batches this year, the other batches will be better.

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[carvetop]

So in looking at several of the threads regarding this clone, we have Natron008 telling us that his friend who works at the brewery recommends 2/3 pilsner while we have the Trogner bros on record as saying its 80% Vienna. Some kind of smoke screen here? For those that have tried several different grist bills, can we come to any kind of consensus?

 

[Sheldon]

For what its worth, we have brewed this about 4 times and won a competition of over 50 other beers and get a bunch of rave reviews. Basically we do 9.5 Pils, 2.5 lb Vienna and Munich and .5 C-120, love this beer.

Sheldon

 

[reddskinnfan]

For what its worth, we have brewed this about 4 times and won a competition of over 50 other beers and get a bunch of rave reviews. Basically we do 9.5 Pils, 2.5 lb Vienna and Munich and .5 C-120, love this beer.

Sheldon

Sheldon,

What hop schedule? Is it the one I used?

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[Sheldon]

reddskinnfan, we chatted on hbt a long while back when we first were putting together our recipe. This is what we did last time and we did not enter any competitions, but really got some sweet reviews.

Nugget 35.7 IBU FWH (90 minute boil)
Warrior 28.8 FWH
Columbus 15.7 15 min
Simcoe 16.1 10 min
Cascade 2.8 5 min
2 oz Nugget Flame out
.5 Warrior Flame out
2 oz Nugget Dry hop
1 oz Warrior Dry hop

We had approx 99 IBU;s, 7.2 ABV and use a packet of Notty and a packet of Bry-97. Basically the same hop sched for all our versions. Just noticed the last version we had 1 lb Carapils and .5 lb c-60 instead of the c-120. I use the hop age tool in BS to get the appropriate amount of hops to hit the IBU's ive been using.

 

[reddskinnfan]

reddskinnfan, we chatted on hbt a long while back when we first were putting together our recipe. This is what we did last time and we did not enter any competitions, but really got some sweet reviews.

Nugget 35.7 IBU FWH (90 minute boil)
Warrior 28.8 FWH
Columbus 15.7 15 min
Simcoe 16.1 10 min
Cascade 2.8 5 min
2 oz Nugget Flame out
.5 Warrior Flame out
2 oz Nugget Dry hop
1 oz Warrior Dry hop

We had approx 99 IBU;s, 7.2 ABV and use a packet of Notty and a packet of Bry-97. Basically the same hop sched for all our versions. Just noticed the last version we had 1 lb Carapils and .5 lb c-60 instead of the c-120. I use the hop age tool in BS to get the appropriate amount of hops to hit the IBU's ive been using.

I do remember, but forgot the hop schedule. I agree with the 2/3 Pils and Vienna/Munich split for the last 1/3. However on my next attempt, I am going for a 3.5# Vienna and 1.5# Munich 10L, as I think there is more Vienna (color and flavor) than the Munich (aroma).

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[Sheldon]

we may not have a perfect match, be we do have a really good beer let me know how it turns out. We just bottled a Pliny clone 10 days ago, so prob not gona keg another IPA until we are at least half way done.

Sheldon
(Giants Fan)

 

[carvetop]

we may not have a perfect match, be we do have a really good beer let me know how it turns out. We just bottled a Pliny clone 10 days ago, so prob not gona keg another IPA until we are at least half way done.

Sheldon
(Giants Fan)

Thanks for your (you and reddskinnfan) work on this one. I'm going to be brewing up a 3 gal batch this weekend using a recipe that borrows from a few of the iterations mentioned. Will post recipe later for those that may be interested. Even though we have many fantastic beers available in VT, Nugget Nectar has been sorely missed since I left PA. I'll be hoping this batch satisfies my cravings. Otherwise, will have to trade for Heady Topper et al!

 

[NervousDad]

I'm going to try and submit my clone attempt to the midwest competition. I can't imagine that it will fit in the Amber category, but I'm curious to see how it does.

 

[Sheldon]

Good luck with the competition.

 

[reddskinnfan]

Good luck with the competition.

Yes, good luck!

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[reddskinnfan]

Just got two cases of the real deal for many, many side by side comparisons!

Prost!

 

[reddskinnfan]

Just got two cases of the real deal for many, many side by side comparisons!

Prost!

Not sure what an earlier poster was talking about, but the Nugget Nectar I got is FANTASTIC! If you can get it, GO BUY IT!.

 

[bkboiler]

brewed a version of this today. used a lot of learning from your posts about the grain bill @reddskinnfan so thanks for that!
used a good amount of learning from the Zymurgy recipe as far as the hops go, but went heavier on the nugget at the end.
also did a hop stand to hopefully emulate some of the hop flavor that troegs gets from their hop back (or that's what I've read they use).
cheers, will report back when I try the first pint!
recipe here:
http://beersmithrecipes.com/viewrecipe/989712/nugget-nectar-clone

 

[bkboiler]

poured the first pint from this today! awesome beer! easily the best IPA I've ever brewed (and I brew mostly IPAs).
I think I need to be more diligent with purging everything with CO2 since the aroma from the pint was a lot less than what I smelled from the fermenter.

 

[bolus14]

Had NN for my first time this past weekend and after my first sip had the thought of "Where has this been all my life!!" Tasted like apricot/mango hops with a touch of resiny pine, and caramel backbone throughout the whole sip. I'm not a huge hop bomb fan, I like a good balanced, IPA, Double IPA, etc, but things like Ithaca Flower Power, Stone Ruination, etc aren't my thing.

So, now I'm putting this in the pipeline for the next one or two brews. I am wondering a couple things about the hop schedule that seems to be used the most, see questions below.

Also, with this hop schedule I'm only seeing it work out to 84 IBU's, for a 5.5 gal batch at 75% efficiency. I'll have to play with the numbers for my efficiency and possibly for a 4 or 4.5 gal batch since I do BIAB and am not sure all of this will fit in my 11gal kettle.

FWH 1oz Nugget - I calculated this as a 30 min addition, given that it's a FWH being added to a 90 min boil, correct me if this should be different
FWH .05oz Warrior - I calculated this as a 30 min addition, given that it's a FWH being added to a 90 min boil, correct me if this should be different
20 min 1oz Columbus
10 min 1oz Simcoe
5 min 1 oz Palisade
Flame Out 1oz Nugget
Primary 1oz Nugget - when are these being added, 48-72 hrs into fermentation or when fermentation has a few gravity points left to go?
Primary 0.5oz Warrior - - when are these being added, 48-72 hrs into fermentation or when fermentation has a few gravity points left to go?
Dry Hop 1oz Nugget - how long have most been dry hopping for? Lately I have read any more than 3 or 4 days can lead to grassiness
Dry Hop 0.5oz Warrior - how long have most been dry hopping for? Lately I have read any more than 3 or 4 days can lead to grassiness

 

[Dog House Brew]

I would dump the primary hop additions. I would add those at flameout. Do your normal whirlpool, and chill. You could drop your temp to 170 and add those primary hops too. Would save some added IBU, and retain a little aroma. I normally don't do many 30 minute additions anymore. I add my FW-60 minute additions and add some at 5 and a bunch at flameout. I fee like my beers have improved. Adding hops in primary gave me less than stellar results. If your set on primary addition I would do it when fermentation is 80% complete. I would raise the temp to excellerate terminal gravity and hep scrub some of the O2 introduced by the hops.

 

[Dog House Brew]

I normally dryhop for 5 -7 days.

 

[bolus14]

I'm not sold on doing the primary additions for this, I think they're better suited for NE IPA's more than anything else given what I've read on some new research regarding the yeast/hop interaction during fermentation.

My concern with dropping the FWH hops is that with the grain bill this needs some bitterness to balance out the sweetness coming from the malt. Troegs shows this carrying around 93 IBU's and while some newer research shows that there may not be much value in IBU's above 80, for my first go around I'd like to see how it turns out keeping close to what they specify. I don't have any 30min additions, like you, I have found that anything before 20 pulls out too much flavor/aroma and might as well just be figured into the 60min/bittering addition.

I am willing to go with the following for a simplified hop schedule, but am more tempted to go with what others have tried since it seems they have gotten very very close to the real thing. I wouldn't be upset with something slightly different but would like to end up with something very close and don't want anymore in the way of pine/resin than what NN has, it's enough to play a supporting role and coat the mouth a little but far from really tasting like pine at all.

Potential Hop Schedule:
FWH 1oz Nugget
FWH .5oz Warrior
10 min 1oz Columbus
10 min 1oz Simcoe
10 min 1 oz Palisade
Flame Out 1oz Nugget
Dry Hop 2oz Nugget
Dry Hop 1oz Warrior

To me NN doesn't have a massive amount of aroma from the hops, some slight floral and tropical like smell (maybe mango/apricot). Very similar in taste, it hints at being bitter, then quickly turns to tropical fruit and supporting malt backbone, caramel like, but never becomes cloyingly sweet. All the time there's a slickness to the mouthfeel that keeps the carbonation in check as it never becomes prickly nor too thick. It's very well balanced, maybe slightly leaning towards sweet/malty.