Pliny the Elder Clone

This beer was inspired by a trip I took back in September to San Francisco. While there I came across a Beer called Pliny the Elder. While this wasn't the first time I had heard of this particular beer, it definitely was the first time I have had a chance to sample it. And sample it I did. This 8% alcohol and 95 IBU'd Monster made for a great night and a not so great morning! Despite being a little rough the following day, my craving for this hoppy elixir was insatiable. Alas I found myself back at the tap like a drug addict scoring a new stash.

In short I fell in love with this beer, and as we all know love is a Bitch! It wasn't until I left that I found out that you can only get this "Nectar of the Gods," in the San Francisco area. Leaving me pounding my head as to why I did not fill my suitcase (clothes are replaceable right?). Seeing how I live in the Midwest and probably wont be making it back to the SF area for awhile I decided as a Homebrewer to try and clone this Bad Boy.

Luckily, like it was my destiny, the July/August issue of Zymurgy did a piece on Russian River Brewery and more importantly Pliny the Elder. Included in this piece was a recipe, a very detailed and intricate recipe at that. A quick review of the recipe one can see why it is such a great hoppy masterpiece. The amount of hops is insane and the dry hopping schedule is involved. As for the Malt bill, it is relatively simple and straight forward.

I decided to collaborate on this clone with a Colleague (more honestly my Jedi Brew Master, Magnet). I was not set up to brew 10gal. batches as of that time and We knew we want a lot of this beer as it will most likely go quick (if you only knew our Friends). The Following is the recipe from Zymurgy we used:

For 6.0 gals.

MALT BILL
11lbs. 2-Row Malt
0.5lb. Crystal 45 Malt
0.5lb. Carapils (Dextrin) Malt
0.4lb. Dextrose Sugar

HOP BILL
3.50 oz CTZ 13.90% A.A. 90 min.
.75 oz CTZ 13.90% A.A. 45 min.
1.00 oz Simcoe 12.30% A.A. 30 min.
1.00 oz Centennial 8.00% A.A. 0 min.
2.50 oz Simcoe 12.30% A.A. 0 min.
1.00 oz CTZ 13.90% A.A. Dry Hop (12 to 14 Days Total)
1.00 oz Centennial 9.10% A.A. Dry Hop (12 to 14 Days Total)
1.00 oz Simcoe 12.30% A.A. Dry Hop (12 to 14 Days Total)
.25 oz CTZ 13.90% A.A. Dry Hop (5 days to go in dry hop)
.25 oz Centennial 9.10% A.A. Dry Hop (5 days to go in dry hop)
.25 oz Simcoe 12.30% A.A. Dry Hop (5 days to go in dry hop)

Wyeast American Ale #1056

O.G. - 1.070
T.G. - 1.011
IBU's - 90-95 (actual/not calculated)
ABV - 8-8.5%
Mash Rest - 151-152
Boil Time - 90 min.
SRM - 7ish

This Beer was split between the two of us and kegged. While it is still relatively young, my first impressions are excellent. Very good recipe and I am definitely going to brew this again soon as I feel this keg will be emptied quickly.

Rating (out of 10): 9. One of our best homebrewed beers for sure and the Hops are enough to satisfy anyone's Lust for the Lupin!

Slainte`