Sam Adams Rebel Juiced Clone

[Rob2010SS]

So my wife absolutely loves the Sam Adams Rebel Juiced IPA. She has requested that I attempt a clone of this. She's ASKING me to brew, who am I to tell her no?

I tried to find a clone recipe but didn't have much luck. (I only looked really quick, so I could have missed it...) I see on SA's website, they give you the stats of the beer - IBU's, ABV, SRM, and the hops. So I attempted to rebuild it and match up the stats. I have attached pics of the stats on SA website and what I threw together on BrewersFriend. I have absolutely no idea how close it will come out but, we shall find out. I have a few questions though...

1. SA's website says they used mango juice for this. I'm not sure how to go about using juice in fermentation. Any recommendations?

2. Instead of using juice, could I just use (2) 49oz cans of the Vintners Harvest Mango Puree?

3. Between mango juice, mango puree, and fresh mango, what would you guys recommend I use?

4. If I were to use fresh mangos, how would that be done?

5. Open to suggestions on tweaks to what you see in BrewersFriend.

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[Upthewazzu]

Well I can't help much, but I'd imagine they use Zeus to bitter, and Mosaic/Mandarina for flavor and aroma (I'd say at 10 minutes or less in the boil, along with a whirlpool). Potentially skip the dry hop, and add the mango juice/puree at some point after fermentation has been completed. Mash pretty high, 158° or 160° since you'll probably get a decent amount of secondary fermentation from the mango.

EDIT: thinking out loud here, but after fermentation is complete, cold crash the beer, and then add the mango juice/puree at kegging. I'd probably steer clear of bottling this, because you might get some bottle bombs going off.

 

[Rob2010SS]

Thanks @Upthwazzu. That's pretty much what I was going for with the hop schedule I built. Zeus for bittering and mandarina/mosaic for flavor/aroma. I added the .25oz of zeus at 5 to just get a bit of a bump in IBU's as I was falling a bit short of 55.

Any suggestions on the mango?

 

[Upthewazzu]

I'd try and find some 100% mango juice from a co-op type store, or maybe Trader Joe's might have something like that. Something like a 1/4 - 1/2 gallon added to the keg.

On second thought RE: mashing, you may want to mash low, knowing that the juice will sweeten-up the end product.

 

[raysmithtx]

Instead of mango juice I think I would try to use Mango Flavored extract just prior to bottling or kegging.

I have used other extracts in the past and you can get the flavor exactly where you want it without worrying about starting the fermentation over again. Just remember that it takes very little extract to impart some pretty strong flavors.

 

[brewfrog]

Fresh mangos is easier,all three would taste the same in the end.