What makes Alaskan Amber an altbier?

[waldoar15]

Besides the yeast? I'm going to try to brew a clone of it this week.

It's been years since I was in Alaska and had it on tap, so my memory won't help me judge the results of my efforts.

 

[Yuri_Rage]

The BJCP Style guide is always a good place to start: http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style07.php

From the Alaskan Brewing Website:

Ingredients:
Alaskan Amber is made from glacier-fed water and a generous blend of the finest quality European and Pacific Northwest hop varieties and premium two-row pale and specialty malts. Our water originates in the 1,500 square-mile Juneau Ice Field and the more than 90 inches of rainfall we receive each year.

Specifications:
Original Gravity: 1.054, ABV 5.3%, Bitterness: 18 IBU, Color 22 SRM

Here is an extract clone recipe (can't vouch for its accuracy):

http://www.byo.com/stories/recipes/article/indices/25-cloning/117-alaskan-amber-clone

 

[Rushis]

Curious hadn't looked at the BJCP style guidelines before. Thanks Yuri.

For the BJCP judges out there, is it simply the higher SRM of Alaskan Amber that pushes it into the Altbier category instead of an American Amber?

 

[remilard]

It is more the amount and type of hop character.

 

[Denny]

IMO, Alaskan amber is not like an altbier at all. Try a real alt and the difference is apparent.

 

[Beezer94]

that BYO clone article says:

Alaskan Amber is an altbier, more in the Münster tradition than the Düsseldorfer (in other words, it's sweeter, richer, less bitter and less dry). An easy-drinking "session" beer with lots of malt character, it has just enough German hop profile to keep the maltiness from getting out of hand...

 

[waldoar15]

Well, this is on hold until later in the week. The local gave me the wrong yeast and I didn't notice it until after I smacked it.

I have no idea what I'm going to do with a 1L starter of 1187 though. (ordered 1007).

Guess I'll let it ferment out and stick it in a mason jar for the time being. Crap!

 

[electric_beer]

Man that sucks! I feel your pain about the yeast. Looked up the profile of it for you:

YEAST STRAIN: 1187 | Ringwood Ale™

Great yeast strain with unique fermentation and flavor characteristics. Distinct fruit ester and high flocculation provide a malty complex profile, also clears well. Thorough diacetyl rest is recommended after fermentation is complete.

Origin:
Flocculation: High
Attenuation: 68-72%
Temperature Range: 64-74F, 18-23C
Alcohol Tolerance: 10% ABV

Styles:
American IPA
American Stout
Fruit Beer
Mild
Oatmeal Stout
Southern English Brown

Maybe make an English Brown? Those are pretty tasty. Or a nice stout?

 

[Ender]

I worked in the fisheries up in Alaska and this was my first "real" beer. Loved this stuff and have been trying to recreate it ever since. I think I'm on my 4th batch and it's turned out pretty good.

10.0 Lbs. American 2-row
0.50 Lbs. Crystal 60
0.50 Lbs Crystal 120
0.25 Lbs Munich

0.72 oz Cascade 5.5 alpha at 60 min
0.31 oz Saaz 5.8 alpha at 60 mins
0.69 oz saaz 5.8 alpha at 15 mins

Slurry from #38 Kolsch


Turned out pretty good, and scores 30's

 

[Denny]

that BYO clone article says:

They are welcome to their opinion, but I still maintain that it doesn't remind me of _any_ German alt I've had.

 

[pjj2ba]

I haven't tried Alaskan Amber, but of all the American Alts I've tried, none were at all like the stuff right from the tap in Dusseldorf. Maybe South Hampton's (Long Island) is pretty close. Even the bottles of the German stuff I've bought in the states taste different. I've downed a fair bit of Uerige from the source on several occassions (relative lives neraby) so I know that particular example quite well. The bottles is the US are a disappointment.

Also the Dusseldorf alts are not at all sweet. Malty yes. This is actually my biggest problem with the domestic alts I've had. That plus roasted flavors coming though. I'm not very familiar the the Northern German alts, maybe they have some sweetness to them.

 

[HiGravShawn]

Ah... that beer brings back memories. Probably right there with Sierra Nevada Pale as my first good beer years ago. One thing I learned from trying to immolate it is that for an Ale its fermented pretty cold and aged colder so think about that while trying to replicate.

 

[homebrewer_99]

Americans will claim anything as their own, e.g., Budweiser...(PEEVE RANT):

Quote:
Alaskan Amber is an altbier

Considering the "Alt" here means brewed in the "old" style, Alaska brewing has several hundred years to catch up before it can be called "old".

 

[Rhoobarb]

I loved the stuff when I went to Alaska last August. I thought it did have an alt flavor profile to it. Not the same as Uerige sold here, obviously, but moreso than most American Alts. I've been wanting to try and duplicate it, too. I really wanted to try their Smoked Porter, but it was nowhere to be found.

 

[waldoar15]

I worked in the fisheries up in Alaska and this was my first "real" beer. Loved this stuff and have been trying to recreate it ever since. I think I'm on my 4th batch and it's turned out pretty good.

10.0 Lbs. American 2-row
0.50 Lbs. Crystal 60
0.50 Lbs Crystal 120
0.25 Lbs Munich

0.72 oz Cascade 5.5 alpha at 60 min
0.31 oz Saaz 5.8 alpha at 60 mins
0.69 oz saaz 5.8 alpha at 15 mins

Slurry from #38 Kolsch


Turned out pretty good, and scores 30's

I might give that a go. I have everything but the 120. 80 is as high as I have in house as far as Crystal and I'll have to sub WLP029.

Starter is in the works.

 

[electric_beer]

I really wanted to try their Smoked Porter, but it was nowhere to be found.

Its pretty tasty! :rockin:

Man now I have a craving for Alaskan Amber.

 

[snailsongs]

Alaskan Amber may not be anything like a true german Alt, but neither is it much like your standard American Amber. The hops and malt profile seem to fit the alt category better, whether or not it turns out like a traditional alt or not. I'm just adding my two henpecking cents, though.

Alaskan Amber is a great beer, up there with Fat Tire and Sierra Nevada as benchmark Northwest brews.....and I got started on good beer with the stuff, having grown up in Juneau.

 

[arturo7]

IMO, Alaskan amber is not like an altbier at all. Try a real alt and the difference is apparent.

Amen, brother