My son-in-law does an excellent job of taking care of my beer needs when I come to visit him. He can even teach my buddy Andy a few things about taking care of one's guests. While I was visiting this past weekend, I tried a Racer 5 from Bear Republic Brewing Company. It quickly became my new favorite beer. I told Liz I'd have to try and find the recipe for a clone version when I returned home.
As a homebrewer, I've been subscribing to Brew Your Own magazine since 2000. I save most of them. Surely, I thought, there would be a recipe for Racer 5 in one of my past issues. I wasn't disappointed.
I went to the internet and somebody mentioned the 2004 September issue. I went to the garage and plowed through my tomes. I probably have 50 issues. There in volume 3 was the target issue. On page 40 in "Attack of the Hop Clones", right between Hop Rod Rye (also of the Bear line) and Pliny the Elder (Russian River Brewing) was the Holy Grail. I'm in business baby! I'll be making a batch this winter (after I work my way through the Celebration Ale I just made and the upcoming Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout). A man has to have a plan.
As a homebrewer, I've been subscribing to Brew Your Own magazine since 2000. I save most of them. Surely, I thought, there would be a recipe for Racer 5 in one of my past issues. I wasn't disappointed.
I went to the internet and somebody mentioned the 2004 September issue. I went to the garage and plowed through my tomes. I probably have 50 issues. There in volume 3 was the target issue. On page 40 in "Attack of the Hop Clones", right between Hop Rod Rye (also of the Bear line) and Pliny the Elder (Russian River Brewing) was the Holy Grail. I'm in business baby! I'll be making a batch this winter (after I work my way through the Celebration Ale I just made and the upcoming Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout). A man has to have a plan.
My collection. Each blue binder holds 18 months of issues. I need more binders. Also note the homemade counterflow heat exchanger and the cool growler from Goose Island Brewery in Chicago (thanks Liz)
Here's the recipe if you're into it:
· 11.25 lbs 2-row malt
· 1.66 lbs wheat malt
· 0.625 lbs crystal 15 malt
· 0.21 lbs Carapils malt
· 0.42 lbs dextrose
· 6.1 AAU Chinook hops for 90 minutes
· 8.7 AAU Cascade hops for 60 minutes
· 0.3 oz Centennial dry hop
· 0.3 oz Amarillo dry hop
· 0.2 oz Cascade dry hop
· 0.2 oz Tomahawk dry hop
· American Ale yeast (California V)
OG should be 1.071; FG 1.015; yielding 7.2% ABV; SRM = 10
IBU is actually lower than I thought at 60, but it gives it a really nice balance without being a hop bomb.
I'm on it! Anybody have any ideas for a clone name?
The September 2004 Cover
The Holy Grail
Babs and my neighbor Pete on his Soft Tail right before we evacuated for Hurricane Gustav. Don't you think I should get a Harley?
8 comments:
That's amazing that you're cloning Racer 5. I tried it for the first time yesterday and fell in love with it. It's nice and hoppy, but not overpowering. Very well balanced...
Thanks for posting the recipe, I may clone it too...
FP Brewer, quick question. When does that .42 Lbs of dextrose come into play? During my boil? Post?
That Pete guy cracks me up!
Are you going to subscribe to that DRAFT magazine? If not, I know someone who will get it for you for Christmas...
Ralph - stir it in at the end of your boil; it doesn't need to boil with everything else. Just turn off your pot, remove it from the hot surface (so it won't sink to the bottom and stick) and stir it in. Then start your cooling. I'll probably toss in an even half pound.
Big Blue - I think a Christmas present would be perfect! Thanks for turning me on to it.
How 'bout naming the brew in honor of the man who got it for ya? Big Blue Racer. Hey...get a Harley and join your niece in San Diego for a road trip! She got one too!
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