Pretty new to home brewing but bare with me.

[Anonme]

Ok I know I'm pretty new to this, however, I want to ask some questions now so I can prepare myself. I want to know those who have created clone recipes, how did you do it? Any tips? I live in Alberta Canada and my favourite ale is the grizzly paw grumpy bear and would love to be able to make something similar.

 

[mrdail87]

Never really aimed for a clone, just similar in nature.

If you are really looking to make a clone though, best thing you can do is see if they list any ingredients on their website or product packaging. A lot of people contact the breweries and just ask if they can tell you what ingredients they use. A lot breweries will willingly give out the ingredients, but will leave the specific amounts and brewing process a trade secret.

 

[actionjackson905]

Curiosity got the better of me. Being from Ont. I had to have a peek at this Prarie Brewery.

From Grizzly Paw website.

"Made with real honey, local pale malts and wheat, this is a sweet medium bodied beer.

Wheat makes up almost 30% of the grains of this Grizzly Paw favourite. This beer greets you with a floral nose and a well rounded body, sweet palate and smooth finish."

I'd start with Canadian 2 row as a base, then the wheat malt to get 30% and maybe 1lb of local honey.

I'd need help with the yeast.

Hops will depend on its ibu #s. But I'd probably go with maybe Crystal at 1oz for 60 and maybe 1/2 Citra at 30?

Help me out here guys....

 

[actionjackson905]

What's the ABV and if possible what are the IBU'S? I'll punch that into BeerSmith tonight.

 

[Anonme]

I'm in Banff right now I will let you know tomorrow as I'm doing a tour there

 

[Anonme]

Also how would I find out the ibu #s is it on the bottle or something?

 

[Anonme]

Abv is 5%

 

[TheBigLebrewsk1]

I would start identifying the style
Then
I'd check google for a clone recipe
Then
I'd check their website for information about the beer
Then
I'd check online reviews and cross reference the information with recipes I've found
Then
I'd put my own spin on it based on my preferences
Then
I'd drink it

 

[Yooper]

I love cloning beers! To me, it is the real test of how good your palate is and how good your skills can be. Tasting something and then recreating it takes a lot of skill and knowledge, so others shouldn't knock it.

Unfortunately, I've never had that beer and can't help with the recipe, I'm afraid. But it sounds like you have a lot of information to start with!

 

[Komodo]

Start with something like this:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=220746

I'd add 1# of rice hulls in your mash to help lautering.

 

[Ramitt]

I would start by emailing the brewery and telling them how much you like the beer and ask for any info they will give you about it. Let them know you are a home brewer. I have had some pretty good success doing that. Remember a lot of them started out as home brewers and appreciate the shared passion.

 

[actionjackson905]

I'm in Banff right now I will let you know tomorrow as I'm doing a tour there

Take note of their grain supplier. And if possible what hops they use in that beer. If you can pry it out of them, yeast type, but good luck with that one.

 

[QuadConPana]

I would start by emailing the brewery and telling them how much you like the beer and ask for any info they will give you about it. Let them know you are a home brewer. I have had some pretty good success doing that. Remember a lot of them started out as home brewers and appreciate the shared passion.

Not to mention, there's not much point in secrecy. For the most part, if another brewery wanted to make a similar beer, they wouldn't need to hire an industrial spy if they had a decent brewmaster. They would just dial it in from a few test batches. Heck, look at Avery. They list their recipes right on their website.

And, if homebrewers love your brewery, they will bring you business. What percentage of the people on this site use apps like Untappd compared to the average person. A brewery is truly doing itself a favor making friends with homebrewers. I'm sure for every bottle of a clone that a homebrewer brews, the brewery gains multiple sales from the buzz that homebrewer is creating.

I work in a restaurant. When a guest raves about one of our salad dressings, or some other item on the menu, we're allowed to look up the recipe and give it to them. This lack of secrecy amazes people. My response is always the same, "If you were a professional chef, you could figure it out without my help. And, just because you can make the dressing yourself isn't going to cost us your business. People don't go to Perkins because they don't know how to make scrambled eggs."

 

[Anonme]

Thanks for all the info every one it's been a great help. I'm looking forward to the day I am able to do this.

 

[Anonme]

Unfortunately the head Brewers had just finished their shift, I know the use Alberta 2 row malt and a Munich malt as well, but couldn't get much else though.

 

[Anonme]

I think I might go for my own style for a honey wheat will let everyone know the recipe once I have perfected it.

 

[day_trippr]

fwiw, it's "Bear with me"

You'd think with the whole Grizzly Paw Grumpy Bear thing that would have just happened on its own...

Cheers! ("Bare with me" is entirely different )

 

[Anonme]

Haha I realized that after I had posted but nice catch