Sierra nevada torpedo clone

[eanmcnulty]

OK....looks like no one is going to reply, so I tweeked this recipe for a full boil. Just finished brewing it. We will see how it turns out. I will post the recipe if anyone is interested. This is my first non-kit brew, so I am crossing my fingers. It sure smelled good!!!!!!

Good luck! Id love to see your recipe. How long will you primary? Secondary? Dry-hop? Do you have a fermentation chamber? Or how do you keep the temp steady?
Can't wait to hear about it.

 

[Mongrel]

OK....looks like no one is going to reply, so I tweeked this recipe for a full boil. Just finished brewing it. We will see how it turns out. I will post the recipe if anyone is interested. This is my first non-kit brew, so I am crossing my fingers. It sure smelled good!!!!!!

Alright, I'm going to promise to reply to this down the road. I love Torpedo, but at the moment I'm buying the 24 oz'ers of it for the awesome bottles...and it's only $2.40 at Bi-Mart right now. So, when that deal is over, I'm going to be doing this, but I probably won't have the secondary patience you do. I'll try, but I can't promise that level of commitment.

 

[tcory77]

Ok, here is what I did.

Full Boil Recipe

Boil Time: 60 Minutes
Boil Size: 6 Gallons
Batch Size: 5 Gallons
Yeast: Wyeast 1056 California Ale

1/2 lb. crystal 60L (Steeped)
1/4 lb. crystal 120L (Steeped)
7 lbs. light DME

Hop Schedule (pellets in hop bag)
1 oz. Magnum (60')
1 tsp Irishh Moss (15')
1 oz. Crystal (5')
1 oz. Magnum (5')

0.5 oz. Magnum (DH)
0.5 oz. Crystal (DH)
0.5 oz. Citra (DH)



I put the steeping grains in when I put the water in and light the fire. I remove the steeping grains when the water hits 174 degree (at least 30 minutes of time in the water). Bring to a boil, turn gas off, add DME, bring to a boil and start my hop schedule. I cool with an immersion chiller and a pre-chiller I built.

It is fermenting and smelling great right now. I will keep in the primary about 4 weeks, dry hopping the last week. No secondary. I don't have a fermentation chamber. I keep it in a shower that doesn't get used and the temp stays pretty consistant around 70-71 degrees. It doesn't touch an outside wall, so I think it helps to create a more consistant temp. Tastybrew.com calculated this at 66 IBUs which was pretty close to Sierra Nevada's 65 IBUs, so we will see. I don't really try to "clone" beers, I just go for the general style or thought of what a beer is. If I get close, great, if I don't and it still tastes good, great!!!!! I knew I wanted a pale ale or an IPA this time since my most recent IPA just ran out.

I'll keep this thread updated with my progress.

 

[tcory77]

Ok........I dry hopped today. It looks and smells great. Just wanted to get an update out. I will be kegging this next weekend. Can't wait to give it a taste!!!!!

 

[CidahMastah]

tcory77 - How did this turn out?

I am trying to lure my brother into home brewing and torpedo is his favorite. Were you impressed? let down?

Thanks!

 

[tcory77]

Funny you ask.....I just tapped this keg a few days ago. I was wanting to take a pic of my beer and an actual torpedo and then expalin my difference. I will still do that in a few days, but I'll give you my quick thoughts on it.

My beer is not torpedo, but it is fantastic. I don't think it is quite as bitter as torpedo and also has more citrus notes. The aroma is great, the tastes is great, just different than torpedo. Definately something to build on. For starters torpedo is 7.2% ABV and I think mine calculated to something like 5.5%, so I am betting that led to differences from the get go. I do have to say I am not let down at all. It is a great beer that I am really going to enjoy all winter (or maybe for a short time this winter if I don't slow down on hitting the keg!!!!!!) It is different but really good and I will definately tweek this moving forward.

I will post some pics for side by side comparison and describe the taste a little better in a few days once I have the beers in front of me.

 

[CidahMastah]

Very cool - glad you liked how it turned out. Well, just so you know I have a clone recipe that I was considering trying from BYO magazine (looks similar but some subtle but possibly key differences). I will post the recipe below. Sounds like the brew you did is worth trying, but I may run with this recipe first if I can get my brother to buy haha!

Looking forward to your side by side when you get to it. Enjoy the keg! I rocked a porter keg this holiday real quick, so I hear ya.

I am an extract guy for now, but they have the partial mash and AG version too.

1lb 5oz. pale malt
11 oz carmel 60L
5lbs Light DME (early)
2lbs 6oz light LME (late addition - final 15 minutes)
1.2 oz of 14% 17AAu Magnum Hops (60)
1 oz Magnum (5)
1 oz crystal hops (dry hop)
.67 oz (19 grams) magnum hops (dry hop)
.67 oz (19 grams) crystal hops (dry hop)
.67 oz (19 grams) Citra hops (dry hop)

yeast recc is WLP001 or Wyeast 1056 or fermentis US-o5

Says to get the hops right you need to boil 4 gallons of wort. 3qts of water at 152F for 45 mins (grain steep) and add water to make 4 gallons. Boil is for 90 minutes and add water if water volume drops below 3.5 gals. Dry hop 10 days to 2 weeks.

I probably won't start this one for a bit, I have two fermenting and one on deck, plan to start an arrogant bastard clone tonight. But when I do get to this in the next few weeks I will post back. When I do I plan to do the recipe exactly as above (4 gallons), not a full boil.

 

[tcory77]

That looks great. I am betting that version will be closer than mine for sure. I saw it but chose to do my own thing because I like doing full boils, I try to keep my DME/LME and hop amounts in rounded numbers (just easier to buy and use all of it), but those different procedures and the smaller boil will probably treat you right. And let's face it, if you can get your bro to pay for it, it is a no brainer!!!!!!!!

I would definately give your recipe a look before mine. I will tweek and report back to this thread.

Oh.....I am also planning a Black IPA with this base recipe!!!!!!!!! The hop combo is fantastic.

Best of luck and please report back!!!!!!

 

[CidahMastah]

Very cool - be sure to let us know about the black IPA too - sounds very intersting.

I hear you on the rounded numbers too - I am going to have to do a few mystery brews if these random hop amounts keep showing up Or a hop refridgerator!

I prefer the full boils too. I usually do the full boil no matter what, since I like me some hops!

Will report back when I boil this one up

 

[CidahMastah]

Also - AHS has a clone for this. I think from what I read about the clone is that it was close, but there was only one review on their site. I started the Arrogant bastard clone from AHS last night. That wort tasted really good. If that kit turns out well, I might get another one of those and the torpedo....

 

[tcory77]

Nice....report back if you do the torpedo clone from AHS.

From some post I saw it sounded like the AHS clone didn't use any citra hops which is what is supposed to set the torpedo apart, but I have not got that one from AHS, so I cannot confirm nor deny those alligations. Regardless I am sure the AHS clone is great.

 

[CidahMastah]

Nice....report back if you do the torpedo clone from AHS.

From some post I saw it sounded like the AHS clone didn't use any citra hops which is what is supposed to set the torpedo apart, but I have not got that one from AHS, so I cannot confirm nor deny those alligations. Regardless I am sure the AHS clone is great.

Ok - so just bought the AHS clone for Torpedo. Plan on harvesting yeast from an Irish red ale I have brewing, then doing this recipe. If I push it, I might get to it this weekend, but that all depends on whether the fermentation is done or not.

Will post back when I start the clone, etc.

Note: If the citra hops aren't in the clone I will let you know, and, will be ordering whatever I need to complete the BYO clone recipe instead.

It was cheaper to buy the clone in a package than piece part out the BYO recipe.

 

[CidahMastah]

Nice....report back if you do the torpedo clone from AHS.

From some post I saw it sounded like the AHS clone didn't use any citra hops which is what is supposed to set the torpedo apart, but I have not got that one from AHS, so I cannot confirm nor deny those alligations. Regardless I am sure the AHS clone is great.

Haven't started this yet (got it last night). However, there are citra hops in this kit, and from a quick glance it looks like it is similar to the BYO recipe, though I will have to compare them fully later. I also upgraded my brewpot, so I was busy with that last night, cleaning and boiling to get it ready for an amarillo IPA brew session tonight.

Anyway, should be starting this Torpedo kit this weekend or so. It has a bunch of hops in it, so that is always a good sign.

 

[eanmcnulty]

That sounds good! So does your Amarillo IPA. Your Torpedo should be ready to drink just about when I'm ready to brew mine. Post your results.

 

[CidahMastah]

I will do.

The amarillo IPA is too good. Fastest keg I have kicked yet (less than two weeks). Must just be made for my palate

I am going to break off from the torpedo kit instructions in a couple ways:
1. 50% LME at the start and 50% LME at the 15-20 minute mark.
2. 3.5 gallon steep of specialty grains and 1.5 gallon ghetto collander sparge at 170F.
3. Starter for the yeast
4. 10 minute wait at flameout, then chill.
5. 3 week primary, dry hop 2 weeks secondary, then keg.

If that plan changes I will update, but that is my current method to my madness.

 

[Kbho68]

I just got back from the LHBS and got all of my ingredients. I can't wait to try this recipe this weekend.

tcorry- I was wondering what changes you would make...if any?

 

[tcory77]

Well, first off I have really enjoyed this one as is. It is solid. My next go round I think I am going to tinker with the steeping grains and maybe add some munich malt. Maybe .5 - 1 lb. I am going to try to make this IPA over and over with some minor changes until I get it where I want it. In the future I might add some DME to it and up the hops a touch, but for now I like it enough to just add some steeping grains.

I have even toyed with the idea of adding munich and carafa III (dehusked) to the steeping grains and make this a Black IPA. I am loving me some Laughing Dog Dogzilla right now.

Kbho68, let us know how yours turns out!!!

I am going to have to brew this again soon, my keg has taken a beating, it can't have much left in it.

 

[ddockery]

I'm thinking I may try this myself, as my first brew without a boxed recipe kit. I have some Wyeast 1272 American Ale yeast I want to reuse from a Black IPA. Thoughts on using that yeast for this?

 

[CidahMastah]

It is driving me crazy to wait - have an Irish Red Ale with 1056 ale yeast that i need to grab the yeast from for the torpedo clone. I am hoping next week at the latest for the AHS clone.

Tcory77
I know the AHS clone as 9.5lbs of LME, so there is definitely a stout ABV. I keep forgetting to compare the AHS clone to the BYO, but when I do I will post back. I got busy when I bottled a bunch of cider and beer this weekend. The Stone Arrogan Bastard clone is really good.

I actually just killed my first 10 lb co2 tank!! Guess I am producing well....

 

[BelgianKing]

I'm thinking I may try this myself, as my first brew without a boxed recipe kit. I have some Wyeast 1272 American Ale yeast I want to reuse from a Black IPA. Thoughts on using that yeast for this?

I brewed this on sunday using that yeast. My LHBS told me that it would work great for this recipe. I was going to use the 1056 but it was old. The primary took off in less than 6 hours and has been crazy active ever since. I will know how it tastes in a few weeks.

 

[CidahMastah]

I actually just brewed the AHS Yorpedo kit last night - so now the waiting game....

 

[prolific]

I brewed this one yesterday, although I used the all grain recipe from a magazine. (Thanks CidaMastah)

Here is the recipe I used:

16lbs pale malt
1lb C60
1.5oz 14% Magnum hops (90)
1oz Magnum (5)
1oz Crystal (5)

Dry hop (will do this when the time comes in about a week and a half)
.5oz Magnum
.75oz Crystal
.75oz Cascade (couldn't get Citra)

safale us-05

OG: 1.078

Mashed at 152 for 60'
Boiled for 90'

I upped the Pale malt bill by 2lbs in fear of my efficiency being too low, but my gravity ended up a little high. I probably should have used 15 instead of 16#.

The recipe called for 1.2 oz of Magnum for 60', but I upped it to 1.5 and boiled for 90' since it was supposed to be a 90' boil. The IBUs weren't adding up correctly, so that's why I boiled for 90 and used more.

The brew is in my 6.5 gallon carboy and it's fermenting like crazy about 18 hours later, this promises to be pretty good, though a little stronger than expected.

 

[CidahMastah]

Very cool - DO post how this turns out. I have an extract batch that will be done in a few weeks, but I am also getting a giant grain order in (8 bags), so I am going to be doing a torpedo batch soon for sure. I have some washed yeast that needs to get used up!

 

[ChrisHansen]

Just wanted to chime in, I subscribed to this thread and am as antsy about the results as you guys are. Can't wait to hear what turns out best!

 

[CidahMastah]

Just wanted to chime in, I subscribed to this thread and am as antsy about the results as you guys are. Can't wait to hear what turns out best!

My extract batch should be ready for young tasting march 20 (3 weeks primary, 10 days dry hopping and 1 day carbing). Will let you know!



Edit: Dry hopping will start tonight for 10 days.... almost game time!

 

[McDingleberry]

My extract batch should be ready for young tasting march 20 (3 weeks primary, 10 days dry hopping and 1 day carbing). Will let you know!



Edit: Dry hopping will start tonight for 10 days.... almost game time!

Have you tried it yet? I'd like to try this extract recipe soon.

 

[pietro75]

Have you tried it yet? I'd like to try this extract recipe soon.

I'm wondering too. I have a similar recipe myself and just came across this thread. I sure would like some advice.

 

[CidahMastah]

No time to go into detail - but the AHS extract kit is GOOD! I haven't done a side by side, but I am really liking it.

I will now be hitting up the AG version from BYO when I get a chance - hopefully it is as good

 

[McDingleberry]

No time to go into detail - but the AHS extract kit is GOOD! I haven't done a side by side, but I am really liking it.

I will now be hitting up the AG version from BYO when I get a chance - hopefully it is as good

That's awesome. What was the OG/FG on that kit?

 

[CidahMastah]

It is very close to sierras. I just gave 8 or so bottles to my bro - it is his favorite beer so I will keep you posted. However, this is a fantastic IPA to have on tap.

Target O.G. was 1.072, I got 1.069-1.070. F.g target was 1.017, I can't find the sheet where I had written down what I got.

Right now I have a ton of stuff in the pipeline, so it has been keeping me busy (and my brew cellar is a mess). Nothing like having 4 kegs in the kezzer, bottle two, then put two more in, have 4 waiting, and have 2 more coming into action this weekend. Good good stuff! These 10 gallon batches are awesome!

Wish I did 10 of this brew....