Contacting brewery for info on their beer

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Fuggled Mind
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Re: Contacting brewery for info on their beer

Post by Fuggled Mind » Tue Sep 05, 2017 2:43 pm

A few years ago, I asked Hopback for their Winter Lightning recipe. I didn't hear anything for a few months and then out of the blue, I got an email with the recipe and an apology for keeping me waiting. It was fair to say, I was very impressed. The recipe was for several thousand litres but beersmith soon took care of that.
Once, during Prohibition, I was forced to live for days on nothing but food and water.
W. C. Fields

MrN
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Re: Contacting brewery for info on their beer

Post by MrN » Tue Sep 05, 2017 2:46 pm

Fuggled Mind wrote:A few years ago, I asked Hopback for their Winter Lightning recipe. I didn't hear anything for a few months and then out of the blue, I got an email with the recipe and an apology for keeping me waiting. It was fair to say, I was very impressed. The recipe was for several thousand litres but beersmith soon took care of that.
That's a great result. Out of interest, what did you specifically ask for? I'm a bit conscious of sounding a bit too presumptuous if I start asking for every last detail!

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IPA
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Re: Contacting brewery for info on their beer

Post by IPA » Tue Sep 05, 2017 5:45 pm

MrN wrote:
Mon Sep 04, 2017 5:26 pm
How do you know he wasn't able to get the percentages?

Not too fused about precise quantities to be honest, I'd just be interested in any extra info they'd be willing to share.

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When the brewery gave percentages it's in the book.
If you are not interested in the exact recipe why ask? As I said Graham's recipe is damn close
"You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on." Dean Martin

1. Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming... "f*ck, what a trip

It's better to lose time with friends than to lose friends with time (Portuguese proverb)

Alone we travel faster
Together we travel further
( In an admonishing email from our golf club)

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Re: Contacting brewery for info on their beer

Post by MrN » Tue Sep 05, 2017 9:43 pm

I'd be interested in an exact recipe if that's what they're willing to give but any info would be of interest.

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Re: Contacting brewery for info on their beer

Post by scuppeteer » Tue Sep 05, 2017 10:07 pm

You, may or may not, gain extra points for asking for percentages. Some will just tell you what's in a beer, others may be more detailed. I personally would be more willing if someone asks for further details following an initial enquiry. If you are lucky enough to have a brewer contact you directly, then they are generally more willing than the office bods. Because basically, we're nice people, with a common interest. ;)
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Fuggled Mind
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Re: Contacting brewery for info on their beer

Post by Fuggled Mind » Tue Sep 05, 2017 10:23 pm

MrN wrote:
Tue Sep 05, 2017 2:46 pm
Fuggled Mind wrote:A few years ago, I asked Hopback for their Winter Lightning recipe. I didn't hear anything for a few months and then out of the blue, I got an email with the recipe and an apology for keeping me waiting. It was fair to say, I was very impressed. The recipe was for several thousand litres but beersmith soon took care of that.
That's a great result. Out of interest, what did you specifically ask for? I'm a bit conscious of sounding a bit too presumptuous if I start asking for every last detail!

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I don't have the copy of what I sent now, only the reply from Steve Wright, the head brewer at Hopback but if I remember, I was honest, said I enjoyed this beer a couple of times when I was back in the UK and would be grateful if they could give me the recipe or at the very least, a couple of pointers. It was the second brewery I'd tried writing to and I didn't expect much back (the first brewery I emailed never got back to me) but the brewery were fantastic. I must confess, I still haven't brewed it, but it's always on my Winter 'to brew' list.
Once, during Prohibition, I was forced to live for days on nothing but food and water.
W. C. Fields

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Re: Contacting brewery for info on their beer

Post by FUBAR » Tue Sep 05, 2017 10:28 pm

IPA wrote:
Tue Sep 05, 2017 5:45 pm
MrN wrote:
Mon Sep 04, 2017 5:26 pm
How do you know he wasn't able to get the percentages?

Not too fused about precise quantities to be honest, I'd just be interested in any extra info they'd be willing to share.

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When the brewery gave percentages it's in the book.
If you are not interested in the exact recipe why ask? As I said Graham's recipe is damn close
Yes,one of my favourite recipes from Graham's book.A damn good beer that I have brewed many times and its getting that time of the year that another one is due .
I buy my grain & hops from here http://www.homebrewkent.co.uk/


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Re: Contacting brewery for info on their beer

Post by MrN » Wed Sep 06, 2017 4:49 pm

FUBAR wrote: Yes,one of my favourite recipes from Graham's book.A damn good beer that I have brewed many times and its getting that time of the year that another one is due .
That's promising. This probably deserves a different thread but how dark does it come out? It seems like just pale and crystal wouldn't be dark enough. I suppose they might darken with caramel but I was considering using Simpson's dark crystal for a bit more colour.

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Re: Contacting brewery for info on their beer

Post by MrN » Mon Sep 11, 2017 2:06 pm

Update for anyone who was interested: Got a reply from the brewery saying they're unable to divulge what goes into their beer :(. Oh well, it was worth a shot.

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Re: Contacting brewery for info on their beer

Post by Fil » Mon Sep 11, 2017 2:22 pm

Id bet your message got thru to sales/marketing staff and not the brewers..
ist update for months n months..
Fermnting: not a lot..
Conditioning: nowt
Maturing: Challenger smash, and a kit lager
Drinking: dry one minikeg left in the store
Coming Soon Lots planned for the near future nowt for the immediate :(

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Re: Contacting brewery for info on their beer

Post by MrN » Mon Sep 11, 2017 3:40 pm

Email was from someone called Simon Massey.

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Re: Contacting brewery for info on their beer

Post by IPA » Mon Sep 11, 2017 6:12 pm

MrN wrote:
Wed Sep 06, 2017 4:49 pm
FUBAR wrote: Yes,one of my favourite recipes from Graham's book.A damn good beer that I have brewed many times and its getting that time of the year that another one is due .
That's promising. This probably deserves a different thread but how dark does it come out? It seems like just pale and crystal wouldn't be dark enough. I suppose they might darken with caramel but I was considering using Simpson's dark crystal for a bit more colour.
Read the recipe. There's nearly 20% crystal malt in it.
"You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on." Dean Martin

1. Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming... "f*ck, what a trip

It's better to lose time with friends than to lose friends with time (Portuguese proverb)

Alone we travel faster
Together we travel further
( In an admonishing email from our golf club)

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Re: Contacting brewery for info on their beer

Post by MrN » Mon Sep 11, 2017 10:54 pm

I have read the recipe, I believe it's about 15% crystal. I seem to remember the beer is quite dark so I was interested how it'd come out for someone who's brewed the recipe.

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Re: Contacting brewery for info on their beer

Post by IPA » Tue Sep 12, 2017 7:29 am

I have read the recipe, I believe it's about 15% crystal. I seem to remember the beer is quite dark so I was interested how it'd come out for someone who's brewed the recipe.

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[/quote]

EBC 47
"You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on." Dean Martin

1. Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming... "f*ck, what a trip

It's better to lose time with friends than to lose friends with time (Portuguese proverb)

Alone we travel faster
Together we travel further
( In an admonishing email from our golf club)

Piscator

Re: Contacting brewery for info on their beer

Post by Piscator » Tue Sep 12, 2017 9:14 pm

The Head Brewer at McMullens is a nice chap called Chris Evans and is home brewer friendly providing me with some information and tips on a couple of occasions when I was working up a couple of clone brews.

Cheers
Steve

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