Recipe Type: Extract with Grains
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.’s Celebration clone
First brewed in 1981, Sierra Nevada explains that Celebration Ale is one of the earliest examples of an American-style IPA, and it’s still one of the few hop-forward holiday beers. The intense, hop-heavy beer features Chinook, Centennial, and Cascade hops.
Saint Arnold Brewing Co.’s Elissa IPA
“A traditional India Pale Ale, the Elissa IPA is very hoppy with a properly balanced malty body. Elissa has huge hop additions in the kettle that give it a wonderful bitterness and is then dry-hopped in the fermenter to create the pleasant floral, hoppy nose. Our reverse osmosis water makes the bitter very soft with no harsh notes to it. The maltiness is derived from British Maris Otter malt. Its rich flavor stands up to the hops that would otherwise dominate this beer. The Elissa is an authentic version of an India Pale Ale (IPA) style.”
Russian River Brewing Co.’s Pliny the Elder clone
Originally brewed to be part of a first-ever “Double IPA festival” back in 2000, Pliny has become the standard by which many modern double IPAs are measured. As with any hop-heavy beer, Pliny is best enjoyed fresh, while the massive hop aroma is at its peak.
Merriman Old Fart clone
Sadly, Merriman’s Brewery in Leeds is apparently no longer brewing. The information that I have for this beer is: OG: 1.050. Malt bill: Halcyon pale malt, crystal malt, wheat malt, pale chocolate malt, roast barley. Hops: Liberty, Progress. IBU: 32. When one has no information about malt bill proportions, the only option is to guess. However, we are aware of the usual style guideline ranges for using specialty grains, so we can use these as a starting point.
Oakhill Brewery’s Yeoman Strong Ale clone
The Oakhill Brewery in Somerset closed down when the owner retired. This beer has obviously been renamed during its history and the information that I have for it is: OG: 1.049–1.050. Malt bill: 91.5% Triumph or Halcyon pale malt, 8.5% crystal malt. Hops: Bramling Cross, Challenger, Fuggles, Goldings. In this case, we have malt bill proportions, but no IBU, so again we have to guess. However, style guidelines are a good guide to expected ballpark IBU.
Harpoon Brewery: English Style Old Ale clone
Inspired by the sustaining winter offerings of many English breweries, this complex and malty brew is marked by significant alcohol warmth, balanced bitterness, biscuit/roasted undertones, and sublime mouthfeel.
George Gale & Co.’s Gale Prize Old Ale clone
This opens with a deep caramel apple character with notes of plums and sultanas. The tart fruity finish has hints of raisins and a spiciness lent by the rustic hops. One of the best examples of an old ale on the market.
Paper City Brewery’s Winter Palace Wee Heavy clone
One of the original microbreweries in Massachusetts, Paper City Brewery closed its doors in 2016 but you can still brew this classic Wee Heavy using this recipe.
“We use pale and roasted malt to give our ale a rich, full maltiness and a deep, dark amber color. The nature of a WEE HEAVY makes for a higher alcohol percentage but this softens and counterbalances the sweet maltiness of the ales.”
Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery: Hope and King Scotch Ale clone
This exceptionally smooth beer showcases the beauty of malted barley, as notes of caramel, toffee, and toasted chocolate rise from its mahogany depths. Hope & King has won gold, silver, and bronze medals at the Great American Beer Festival.
Olde Burnside Brewing Co.’s Ten Penny Ale clone
According to Olde Burnside’s website, “Our flagship Scottish Ale. Malty with a hint of caramel and a little background smokiness. Just enough hops to balance the malts. Very sessionable.”
Anderson Valley Brewing Co.’s Summer Solstice Seasonal Ale clone
Anderson Valley describes this summer sipper as a slightly sweet, malty session beer with a creamy mouthfeel and clean finish.
Ice Harbor Brewing: Runaway Red Ale clone
Full-bodied amber ale with crystal, carastan and carapils providing subtle dark fruit malt character and Willamette, Cascade and Tettnang hops giving a subtle fruit hop character.
