Brewing is better with a buddy, and commercial breweries are increasingly collaborating to release beers that combine their strengths. Plus: four collaborative clones.
The Replicator clones Smuttynose’s Noonan Black IPA
The Replicator clones Tröeg’s Nugget Nectar Ale.
The Replicator clones Dick’s Brewing Co. Danger Ale.
Honkers is a medium-bodied Pale Ale with a perfect, off-white head. The aroma is a blend of spicy hops and fruit. The flavor is fresh and clean, with a rounded malt body and a dash of hops. The finish is reminiscent of the flavor. This beer is easy-drinking, thirst- quenching and full of character.
This Extra Special Bitter is a deep copper-orange color, with an off-white, creamy head. The aroma is a judicious blend of fruity hops and toasted malt. Medium in body, it is full and round, with a nice blend of malt balanced with gentle hop character. Redhook ESB ends with a sweet malt finish.
Pennant is a well-crafted pale ale brewed as a tribute to Brooklyn’s world champion baseball team of 1955. (That would be the Dodgers, who actually beat the Yanks in that crosstown series.)
Pennant pours with a dense light-beige head that sits on a chestnut-colored beer. The aroma is complex and malty, with a hint of freshly baked bread. The full malt flavor is balanced with a clean hop background. English hops provide a moderate bitterness that complements the smooth mouthfeel. The aftertaste is dry with a hint of hops.
When my wife and I visited Ireland, we really enjoyed our share of
Smithwick’s Ale. Smithwick’s is a light-bodied, copper-colored Irish Red ale with
a pleasant hint of roastiness and a dry finish. Here’s a successful
homebrew version of Smithwick’s.
Randy & Amy Germann
San Antonio, Texas
Full Curl is a wee heavy strong scotch ale at about 7% alcohol by volume.
Even as they move into the future, Fuller’s draws on its heritage in crafting their brews. Plus: homebrew clones
of Fuller’s London Pride, ESB and London Porter.
A very good traditional Brown Ale.
Shade Mountain Stout, which is 100% organic, definitely meets the style
guidelines for a true oatmeal stout. The aroma exhibits roasted grain
characters followed by coffee and chocolate notes. A rich, light brown
head tops the nearly opaque liquid and holds all the way to the bottom
of the glass. The flavor exhibits a smooth roast grainy profile
combined with chocolate and a slight nuttiness. The high percentage of
oats contributes to a full bodied mouthfeel and silky smoothness. A
higher temperature and somewhat thick mash produces a slightly sweet
finish. The one hop addition serves to be just enough to balance the
residual sugars.
The Replicator clones Selin’s Grove’s Shade Mountain Stout.
This beer was inspired by residue found in drinking vessels that are believed to be from the actual tomb of King Midas. Some secrets of the beverage, dated to around 700 BC, were revealed by the new methods of molecular archaeology.
The residues inside the vessels belonged to a “Phrygian cocktail,” which combined grape wine, barley beer and honey mead. Starting with the ancient chemical evidence, Dogfish Head Brewery “recreated” a marvelous golden elixir, truly touched by King Midas.
Updated from a January-February 2001–2002 Replicator recipe by Steve Bader.
