Special Issue: 250 Classic Clone Recipes
Recipe
The Lost Abbey: Devotion Ale clone
This Belgian-style blonde ale is light bodied and hop driven. It has a low level of yeast phenols and instead a lot of the spicy character comes from the aromatic hops.
Recipe
BJ’s Grand Cru clone
According to BJ’s Restaurant and Brewery their Grand Cru was designed to be a work of art. “Setting out to brew a best-in-class golden ale, we used a special Belgian yeast strain in the brewing process. Belgian yeast strains produce a lot of flavors during fermentation – fruity flavor compounds called esters or spicy flavor compounds called phenols. The Belgian yeast we brew with produces a good amount of both esters and phenols. In addition to this special Belgian yeast strain, we also spice the beer with bitter orange peel and coriander to contribute even more fruit and spice notes.”
Recipe
Brewery Ommegang: Witte clone
This is a traditional, Belgian-style wheat ale. Soft, hazy, and offering the characteristic Belgian phenols from the yeast along with the gentle taste of coriander and orange.
Recipe
Brewery Ommegang: Abbey Ale clone
“The crystal and roasted malts merge well together to yield soft caramel and raisin notes. These flavors will evolve gracefully as the beer ages.” — Randy Thiel, Brewer.
Recipe
New Belgium Saison Belgian-Style Farmhouse Ale clone
A retired beer from New Belgium Brewing’s portfolio. Brew one yourself to bring this one back to life.
Recipe
Brouwerij Bosteels: DueS clone
Are you ready to try brewing a Bière de Champagne, also known as a Bière Brut? If so, here is a recipe for one of the shining starts in this rare and unique category of beers.
Recipe
G. Schneider & Sohn: Schneider Weisse Original clone
According to the website for G. Schneider & Sohn, “For centuries, wheat beer in Bavaria could only be brewed in royal breweries. By 1872, wheat beer had declined in popularity and, seeing an opportunity, royal brewer Georg Schneider purchased the brewing rights from the Bavarian King Ludwig II, rescuing the style from near extinction. Over 140 years later, the brewery still uses his same recipe and open fermentation process.”
Recipe
Laht Neppur Brewing Co.’s American Hefeweizen clone
An American-styled hefeweizen, brewed by a brewery based in Waitsburg, Washington, just outside of Walla, Walla.
Recipe
Schneider Weisse: Aventinus clone
This beer is basically a wheat doppelbock, made to compete with the true doppelbocks. It features notes of raisins, plums, bananas, cloves, and a touch of chocolate. A decoction mash and extended boil are really needed to bring out the dark malt and caramel flavors.
Recipe
Sea Dog Brewing Company: Blue Paw Wheat Ale clone
The Silver medal winner in the 2007 World Beer Championships, this wheat beer benefits from the added aroma and subtle fruit flavor of blueberries.
Recipe
North Coast Brewing Co.’s Blue Star Wheat Beer clone
One of North Coast’s brewery’s summer lawnmower beers. With just enough hop presence and nice body thanks to a healthy heap of wheat malt.
Recipe
Rogue Ales: Dead Guy clone
According to Rogue’s website, “In the style of a German Maibock, using our proprietary Pacman yeast, Dead Guy is deep honey in color with a malty aroma and a rich, hearty flavor.”
Recipe
Archers Golden Bitter clone
Archers Golden is a superb ale that has won a number of awards. Sadly, at the time of writing, Archers is under administration so the future of their Swindon brewery is in some doubt. We can only hope that a buyer is found for the brewery so that brewing of their fine ales may continue.
Recipe
Magic Hat Brewing’s Hocus Pocus clone
Justin McCarthy, Lead Brewer, Magic Hat Brewing Company: “When I think of summer and beer, I think of beers that will quench my thirst and appease my palate at the same time.”
Recipe
Brooklyn Summer Ale clone
Garrett Oliver, brewmaster, Brooklyn Brewery: “‘Summer Ale’ is not a beer style, but a concept. To me, anything which is brisk, light, and drinkable but still interesting enough to work with summer foods can be a ‘summer ale.’”
Recipe
Harpoon Summer Beer clone
Frederick Hamp, Brewer/QC Tech, Harpoon Brewery: “A summer beer needs to be compatible with the mindset of a beer consumer in the summer. Served cold and thirst quenching but still flavorful.”
Recipe
Firestone Walker Brewery’s ‘Lil Opal clone
“Summer is all about outdoor activity and the beers of summer typically fit this theme and should provide refreshment. That doesn’t mean bland or without character. A refreshing beer can be full of character and still be a part of a sunny summer day.”
Recipe
Goose Island’s Summertime Kölsch clone
According to Goose Island’s website, “With a light fruity aroma and a bright, crisp finish, Goose Island Summertime Kölsch is the perfect summer session ale. A Kölsch beer brewed in the traditional German fashion, you’ll find yourself enjoying and savoring each sip of Summertime as much as your do those hot summer days and cool summer nights.”
Recipe
Summit Brewing Company: Summit Extra Pale Ale clone
First brewed in 1984, this English-style pale ale is bronze in color with caramel, biscuit malts balanced by an earthy hop bite and juicy, citrus flavors.
Recipe
Deschutes Brewery’s Green Lakes Organic Ale clone
Brewed with organic grains, this American amber is nicely balanced between maltiness and hop character.
Recipe
St. Peter’s Brewery’s Organic Best Bitter clone
According to St. Peter’s website, “A traditional best bitter ale brewed with Pale and Crystal malts and Goldings aroma hops, resulting in a full-bodied amber coloured ale. Distinctive caramel notes, with nutty and roasted aromas lead to a bitter, but sweet taste.”
Recipe
Speedway Brewing Co.’s Speedy Kiwi 5.6 ESB clone
Speedway Brewing closed its doors in 2010, but we do still have the recipe for their Speedy Kiwi ESB. While it is based on the English style, it comes with its own American twist.
Recipe
Odell Brewing Company: 5 Barrel Pale Ale clone
Named for the 5 select hop additions, this is a refreshing pale ale with a lively hop flavor and aroma.
Recipe
Barley Brown’s Tumble Off Pale Ale clone
Winner of the 2006 gold medal at the GABF.
Recipe
Red Car Brewing’s Two Rail Pale Ale
If you are looking for a classic American pale ale with a Cascade, Willamette hop profile, here is a great recipe. While it is called a pale ale, this beer will really land you more in the red/amber category than pale.
Recipe
BruRm @ BAR’s Raven Haired Beauty clone
An English dark mild ale with notes of toffee and coffee in the aroma and a nutty finish.
Recipe
Banks’s Mild Ale clone
The world’s best selling mild ale, an English dark mild with nice caramel and roasted nut malt character.
Recipe
Big Rock Brewery: Warthog Ale clone
Warthog Ale is a crossbreed of a British pale mild ale and an American cream ale. It’s a lighter-bodied beer, with some crystal malt for a bit of a malty flavor and relatively low hop bitterness. The description on the Big Rock Website also states that this beer has some resemblance to British brown ales, with a nutty finish.
Recipe
Clearwater Brewery’s Clearwater Light clone
Clearwater Brewery has since closed their doors, but their legacy lives on with this light ale recipe.
Recipe
Shipyard Brewing Company: Export Ale clone
This export strength North American golden ale has a hint of sweetness up front, a subtle yet distinctive hop taste, and clean finish.
Recipe
Flying Dog Brewery Tire Bite Golden Ale clone
This golden-straw colored ale is a German-style Kölsch that is light, grassy, and refreshing. Perfect for summer.
Recipe
Grand Teton Brewing Company: Bitch Creek ESB (Extra Special Brown) clone
Bitch Creek balances big malt sweetness and robust hop flavor for a full-bodied, satisfying mahogany ale. This year-round offering has claimed 15 gold medals in national competitions.
Recipe
Three Floyds Brewing Company: Alpha King clone
A bold yet balanced American pale ale with slight caramel sweetness and aggressive citrus hoppiness.
Recipe
Squatters Pub Brewery: Full Suspension Pale Ale clone
This rich, Northwest-style pale ale is all about balance and sessionability. Maybe that’s why it won gold at the Great American Beer Festival in 2001 and 2002.
Recipe
Deschutes Brewing Company: Mirror Pond Pale Ale clone
Deschutes leans on Cascade hops in this classic pale ale to give this beer lots of floral and citrus notes.
Recipe
Crooked River Brewing Co. Settler’s Ale ESB clone
This English style extra special bitter gets the American hop treatment with a big boost of Cascade.
Recipe
Terrapin Brewing Co.’s Rye Pale Ale clone
Dry hopped with Amarillo®, this American rye pale ale is perfect for summer enjoyment.
Recipe
BruRm @ BAR’s Pale Ale clone
Toeing the line between American and British-styled pale ale, the BruRm’s pale ale is hopped with both American and British hops and fermented with a British yeast strain. It’s a thirst-quencher no matter how you classify it though.
Recipe
Wells and Young’s Ltd: Young’s Special London Ale clone
Young’s Special London Ale is a well-balanced, bottle conditioned premium bitter brewed with 100% British ingredients.
Recipe
Bass & Co’s Pale Ale clone
Michael Jackson claims that Bass uses a single addition of Challenger and Northdown hops. This is an attempt to clone the bottle version found in the United States.
