Otter Amber clone?

[juuunx2]

Good evening all. After completing my first extract brew Saturday I am looking forward to experimenting into something different. One of my favourite tipples is Otter brewery's Amber ale (see link) http://www.otterbrewery.com/otter_amber_taste.php

This is a fantastic tasting beer which is also refreshing for the summer. What I really want to know is how I could attempt to make something similar. They don't let loose the hops they use but do mention Cara malt. If I used 350g of crystal malt for a summer ale kit would this surfice for this brew if I used 350g of Cara malt? Any idea on hops? Has anyone else tried this little belter?
Maybe it is a little early for me to be experimenting but boy I am addicted to this beer making. It's fantastic fun.

Thoughts appreciated as always
Mart

FV1: extract; Summer ale
FV": Coopers stout
Conditioning:Coopers Canadian blonde, Coopers Sparkling ale, St Peters IPA, Muntons midas touch
Drinking: St Peters Golden ale

[Jocky]

Otter mention on their website that they use hops like Willamette and Styrian Goldings (http://www.otterbrewery.com/news_article.php?id=79). So perhaps do a search around for some recipes with those hops and Caramalt to see if you can find something. You may well find an American ale like that, which if you swap to using English Ale yeast and only prime it gently at 0.5-1 volume of CO2 (e.g. 70 grams of sugar per 5 gallons) then you might be something in the right area.

Only real way to know is to try.

[oz11]

I might be able find out the hops for this. I seem to remember having a half at a beer tasting run by Wye College who develop Hops . I'm pretty sure the program for the event listed the hops used in each beer so next time I'm up in the loft I'll dig it out. SWMBO calls it hoarding, I call it reference material for just these sort of questions

[juuunx2]

Cheers Jocky and cheers oz11 for the replies.

I will look into it and if you can find out Oz let us know that would be great. I have had several of the Otter ales and across the board they are fantastic. An ale pub in Cambridge that I visit from time to time has Otter ales on occaisionally amongst aother gems as guest ales.

Once again thanks for the replies, most appreciated guys

Mart

[oz11]

Hey,
Got the tasting notes in front of me. The main text is a repeat of the description on the Otter website where you found the reference to Cara malt, so I won't bother typing that in. The hop is...


wait for it....


Pilgrim, but it doesn't make it clear whether that's a single hop used, or just the predominant one.

From Brupacks website it says:
"Pilgrim (UK) - Alpha Acid 11.0 - 12.5%

Only developed by Wye College in 2000, Pilgrim has already proved popular as an alternative to the more traditional high-alpha hops such as Northdown and Northern Brewer. It is a true dual purpose hop as, besides its high bittering power, Pilgrim possesses excellent aromatic properties."

So it may well be a single hopped beer.

I hope that's of some help, and I wish you luck and good brewing

As an aside, the beer has proved popular on my favourite beery website.

[juuunx2]

Cheers oz

Thanks for the info. I have bookmarked that website, looks useful.
Will look into the otter clone and give it a bash when I have an FV free (around a weeks time). Will keep you informed.
regards

Mart