Writer: Dave Clark
Winter Warmers
Looking for a taste of the season? Winter warmers are just that; with the bite to take away the cold, these rich beers often have spices and flavors reminiscent of the holiday season. Here are 5 winter warmer clone recipes to brew for when the weather gets cold.
Collision Bend Brewing Co.’s 8 Crazy Nights clone
(5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)OG = 1.078 FG = 1.018 IBU = 25 SRM = 13 ABV= 8.2% 8 Crazy nights is a full-bodied spiced winter ale brewed with cinnamon, honey, and apples. Ingredients13
Tröegs Brewing Co.’s Mad Elf clone
Back in 2002, Owners Chris and John Trogner decided to brew a special beer — a big Belgian-style ale with cherries and honey — for the holidays, and thus, a superstar named Mad Elf was born. The calculated SRM is the color prior to the cherry puree addition. The final color of the beer will be ruby red.
Weekend Welcome (Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome Homage Brew)
Weekend Welcome (Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome Homage Brew) (5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)OG = 1.056 FG = 1.010IBU = 32 SRM = 16 ABV = 6% Samuel Smith’s Brewery holds the recipe for Winter Welcome
The Lost Abbey Brewing Co.’s Gnoel de Abbey clone
The Lost Abbey Brewing Co.’s Gnoel de Abbey clone Gnoel de Abbey is a blend of two different beers. To re-create Gnoel de Abbey at home, brew both base beer styles, then
Great Lakes Brewing Co.’s Christmas Ale clone
Great Lakes Brewing Co.’s Christmas Ale clone (5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)OG = 1.070 FG = 1.012IBU = 30 SRM = 19 ABV = 7.5% By Cleveland tradition, the annual release of Christmas Ale
Pedal Haus Brewery’s Maple Milk Stout clone
Pedal Haus Brewery (Tempe, Arizona) adds an extra layer of intrigue to their milk stout with a big addition of maple syrup near the end of fermentation. This recipe’s original gravity (OG) is based on the estimated gravity reading at the time the yeast is pitched. The ABV is calculated based on the inclusion of the maple syrup to the fermentation.
Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co.’s Tres Leches clone
This recipe from Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. (Gilbert, Arizona) was a collaboration with Chris Bianco of Pizzeria Bianco and brewed to taste like tres leches cake with the additions of lactose, cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar.
Launch Pad Brewery’s Cape Canaveral Key Lime Saison clone
Lactose isn’t the only twist on this saison from Launch Pad Brewery (Aurora, Colorado), which also features lime peels, juice, and leaves, as well as vanilla beans to create a beer reminiscent of a key lime pie.
Urban Family Brewing Co.’s Limesicle clone
This is a “milkshake IPA” using lactose and lime zest. Head Brewer of Urban Family Brewing (Seattle, Washington) Isaac Koski says the dry hop addition in this beer rotates among citrusy hops including Citra®, Simcoe®, or Motueka. “These are interchangeable in my mind based on availability and how they are smelling.”
Market Garden Brewery’s Progress Pilsner clone
Progress Pilsner, created in the style of a German Pilsner, is one of three year-round beers at Market Garden Brewery in Cleveland, Ohio.
Rock Art Brewery’s The Vermonster clone
This is an American-style barleywine first brewed by Rock Art Brewery (Morrisville, Vermont) as its 10th anniversary beer and soon made into a regular offering. The malts contribute a caramel note and hide the taste of the alcohol.
