Writer: Glenn BurnSilver
21st Amendment Brewery and Ninkasi Brewing Company: Allies Win the War clone
This collaboration English strong ale came to be thanks to 21st Amendment’s Shaun O’Sullivan and Ninkasi’s Jamie Floyd, who had been friends since brewing together in the 1990s at Steelhead Brewery. Both brewers had won GABF medals for their versions of this style, and decided to brew one together using local ingredients.
New Belgium Brewing Company: Abbey clone
Abbey is one of the first beers brewed and released by New Belgium back in 1991. Since then it has been one of the brewery’s most award-winning beers. This Belgian-style dubbel is designed to represent the monastic beers of Belgium.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.’s Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale clone
“First introduced in the winter of 1983, Bigfoot is a cult-classic beer brewed in the barleywine style, meaning a strong, robust, bruiser of a beer with the refined intensity of a wine.”
Pelican Brewery: Stormwatcher’s Winterfest clone
This barleywine is the winner of numerous awards, including a gold medal at the World Beer Cup in 2012. Features aromas and tastes of toasted malt, toffee, and caramel, with a warming finish.
Empire Brewing Company: American Strong Ale clone
“This ale is bold, hoppy, and complex with chocolate and roasted malts adding a full malty character. The strong American hops balance the beer with an aggressive bitterness, followed by a fruity hop flavor and a full hop aroma.”
Alesmith Brewing Co.: Old Numbskull clone
There are American barleywines, and then there are West Coast–style American barleywines—and if you like big beers, Old Numbskull doesn’t disappoint. Packed with caramel and toffee notes, this copper-colored ale boasts an aggressive bitterness.
Pike Brewing Co.’s Tandem Ale clone
“I’d recommend about 6 or 7 coriander seeds be crushed and added for the last minute of boil. Although this may seem like a miniscule amount, a touch of coriander is all that is desired.”
—Drew Cluley, head brewer
Red Rock Brewing Co.’s Pecome Blonde clone
This beer has since been retired, but you can still brew up this Belgian blonde ale with this recipe. Feel free to allow fermentation temperature to rise if you would like the yeast to be more expressive.
Allagash Brewing Co.’s Tripel clone
Allagash Tripel is a complex and delicious version of the Belgian classic. According to the brewery, the beer features herbal notes and passion fruit, with hints of banana and honey.
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.
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.
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.
