Graham Wheeler - BYOBRA

[floydmeddler]

Hi all,

Have had this book for ages now and haven't brewed a single ale, stout or porter in it! I have, however, read it back to back over and over. Every time I say, 'right... pick one you damned fool!' I can't make a decision as there are too many that take my fancy.

I want something that can be described as identical to the original... Can anyone recommend something?

Thanks in advance.

[OldSpeckledBadger]

Given the way breweries are prone to alter their recipes that creates a challenge in defining "original". Then there's the issue of variability of ingredients and process so even if the recipe was spot on and you could get the exact yeast, you still couldn't guarantee to be "identical".

[Jymbo]

I've done 8 or 9 GW recipes. Most of them have turned out fairly decent brews but the one that's come closest to the original has been Caledonian 80/-. Having said that, much of the difference may have been down to my technique. I think the yeast used makes a big difference for some of the recipes too - it would be difficult to come close to a London Pride without using the Fuller's yeast. That's a common shortcoming I find with recipe books - none of them seem to recommend a suitable yeast.

[Carpking]

Floyd, i notice in the yeast thread you captured yeast from a bottle of hens tooth. Based on this i would say get your hands on a bottle of white shield and capture the yeast a few days before having a go at the clone?

[floydmeddler]

Yes, I suppose I was asking for the impossible when asking for identical... very close would do though.

Will have to try a pint of Caledonian 80 to see what me thinks then might give it a bash.

Any more recommendations folks?

[floydmeddler]

Floyd, i notice in the yeast thread you captured yeast from a bottle of hens tooth. Based on this i would say get your hands on a bottle of white shield and capture the yeast a few days before having a go at the clone?

Sounds interesting. Anyone cultured this yeast?

[towser]

I've tried a few from GW's wonderful book too. I used Safale-04, and I think it's affecting the beers.

The best I tried from the book so far was Jennings Cumberland. It comes out as a really smooth beer. It really was a lovely pint of beer.

I need to change my yeast though and have another crack. I have a couple of white shields I've been saving, but having never propogated yeast before, that will be my next challenge.

[Carpking]

Floyd, i notice in the yeast thread you captured yeast from a bottle of hens tooth. Based on this i would say get your hands on a bottle of white shield and capture the yeast a few days before having a go at the clone?

Sounds interesting. Anyone cultured this yeast?

I havent but it will be the first one i do. I just got hold of the book and it a definate 'to do' brew!

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=23722

[ade1865]

the Exmoor Gold was cracking, as to whether it was a good as the real thing, well I dunno, but it sure disappeared from the barrel when my mates came round. A good stab at what I consider to be the best beer in England tbh. Spent the weekend on 'the moor' not long ago, and was very sad to leave, as I couldn't take the brewery with me

[Dennis King]

I did the white shield recipe using WLP005 which is supposed to be Ringwoods yeast. Matured for 2 months [a long wait for me] and drank from a polypin. It was VERY good and was a decent clone of the original. Will do this one again and bottle some this time. Might even buy some and use the yeast. Used this yeast for years before I discovered Wyeast and then whitelabs.
Tried a lot of Grahams recipes from all 3 books and they are all sound beers.

[chris_reboot]

I can speak highly for the Old Peculier.

[Zatoichi]

Summer Lightning, HSB and Landlord all came out cracking for me in hindsight I will use Fullers yeast for the HSB next time as Im starting to learn that yeast is one of the biggest contributers to the flavour IMHO

[GARYSMIFF]

Yes, Yeast , defo, look a Wheat beer, its 70% about the yeast.

[critch]

yeast can play a massive diference to the finished product!,certain yeasts have certain qualities, as we know. I use a lot of danstar nottingham, bloody excellent for a hoppy beer imo, but bloody awful for a wheat beer........

quality suppliers (like brewpaks and barley bottom) will have a comprehensive list of which yeast to use where.....

[Invalid Stout]

Floyd, i notice in the yeast thread you captured yeast from a bottle of hens tooth. Based on this i would say get your hands on a bottle of white shield and capture the yeast a few days before having a go at the clone?

Sounds interesting. Anyone cultured this yeast?

Do you mean Hen's Tooth, or White Shield? I've kidnapped White Shield yeast and it was really easy; the starter fermented away happily. Made a nice beer too. It's the only one I've done so can't say if other bottle conditioned beers are any more difficult.