Clone War - Newcastle Brown 16May 2015

[Barbara Joppa]

Okay: Dunc, who won 3rd place in the Epic Pale Ale clone war, chose Newcastle Brown as the next clone. While I think this is an excellent beer - one I have wanted to try to brew, Dunc's research suggests the beer is actually a blend between two beers: an Old Ale and an Amber Ale.

With this in mind, I would like to know how many of you had planned on brewing this style or if you were agreeable to a change. 

The suggestion was to instead brew a SMaSH of any style. 

Thoughts?

You have until 20Feb to weigh in. Check back here for decision.

[Dunc]

Does anyone know where I can nab a few bottles of this delicious brown elixir?

Also, it's no longer a blend apparently.

(From WIKI) Newcastle Amber Ale (1032 OG) was a light ale available until the 1980s. It was a diluted version of Exhibition. Amber Ale and a much stronger aged stock beer was formerly blended to create Newcastle Brown Ale.This method was discontinued sometime before the brand was moved to Dunston (2005).

[Dan]

WTF - they changed the rules!! That's gonna make it hard to clone - does anybody have a bottle from pre 2005? :)

Try these guys http://www.beercellar.co.nz/detail/UK3VB1DE0SW/Newcastle-Brown-Ale

I haven't gotten round to trying the original yet - but I suppose I'll be way off now anyway!

[Dunc]

Thanks dude. We'll be in the same boat.

[Barbara Joppa]

I had a reply but then accidentally deleted it.

I found the beer at Blanc last time I was there. Which reminds me that I need to pick some up for judging.

Any volunteers for being a judge?

[Dunc]

So, how many do we have? Bruce and I have one each...I know Dan is in. Anyone else taking on the Newkie?

[Dan]

I think they are all afraid!!

I've got a couple of bottles on order from BeerCellar, so I'll bring one along for comparison.

I thought the comp was at the end of May and only brewed the Amber on the weekend! Fingers crossed it will have enough time to age.

[Anatole Perry]

Sorry Guys - the NB wasn't one that we fancied making a brew of.....so we've not got anything on the go this time round.....Next event we will....

[Mike Foster]

I have an entry. See you guys there.

[Dean Conger]

Start time is 3pm for judging again?
Dean

[Barbara Joppa]

yep

[Barbara Joppa]

Huh.... its Sunday morning and I just realised that I was supposed to be at WBC yesterday. I'm just going to claim that I was drunk.

So very sorry. Can someone tell me if if it went ahead and how it turned out?

[Dunc]

We went ahead with the Judging, with a bit of improvisation, John and Rhys Judging.
5 entries:
1st Dunc
2nd Bruce
3rd Mike

Mike choose (with a little influence) the next style as Tutarara's Ardennes:
http://www.tuatarabrewing.co.nz/beer/ardennes/

This also aligns with AGWB clone of the year competition (October).

A BIT OF BELGIAN MUSCLE

Tuatara's strong, Belgian-style blonde ale. Ardennes is named after the yeast that gives it all those spicy orange notes and there is no mistaking the strong bit!

Taste: Citrus characters, spicy orange notes
Look: Golden yellow
Aroma: Orange, spicy & Belgium esters and phenolics
Try With: Cheese platter

Hops: Pacific Jade, Citra, Amarillo
Malt: NZ Pilsner
Alcohol (ABV): 6.5%
Bitterness (IBU): 24

Here are the scoring notes:

Aroma - 12
Appearance - 3
Flavor - 20
Mouth feel - 5
Overall - 10
Total - 50

#11 Dan

Aroma 6
Appear 2.5
Flavor - dry. Astringent 8
Mouth feel 2
Overall 4
22.5

#9 Mike
Aroma 8
Appearance - hazy - head good 1, colour good
Flavor astringency in finish 12, lacking sweetness, a bit roasty
Mouth feel 4
Overall  5 finish lets it down
30

#3 Dean
Aroma. Missing sweetness, malt 4
Appearance carb good,cloudy a little dark, 1.5
Flavor. Stale . No sweetness, harsh finish. To bitter 9
Mouth feel -  3
Overall 5
22.5

#7 Dunc
Aroma estery. Diacetyl 9
Appearance 3
Flavor 14, lacking sweetness
Mouth feel thin, 2
Overall 6
34

#5 Bruce
Aroma sweet on the nose 8
Appearance cloudy 1
Flavor 14
Mouth feel thin 2
Overall 6
31