Two Hearted Clone Recipe Critique

Bells has been on the receiving end of Cease and Disist letters, so knows one must defend their Trademarks and Brands.

 

I think we agree on this point. My first reaction several months back was that we should call them out as litigious jerks, but this was quickly followed by my more thoughtful reaction, i.e., that there is probably a legit business reason for protecting themselves and I, with no business or legal expertise, shouldn't be so quick to judge. I only mentioned the old name and name change here because I was trying to make it clear that this recipe was in fact a clone kit of Two Hearted, despite the fact that the new name makes me think of Dead Guy. I figured anyone not in the know could be confused.

I also agree with Vikeman, that this is one of my favorite IPAs. I should try to brew the recipe sometime.

 

Sharing a recipe is not the same thing as protecting a trademark. In fact, Bell's once shared a recipe detail with me, so I wouldn't be surprised if they have shared with others. They can choose to do that without weakening their trademark.

 

Waaaaay too many opinions/suggestions here! Do it just the way you detailed in your original post. It will be freaking awesome!

 

Yes, but this isn't the same as violating a trademark either. You might be able to say "as good as Busch Light" but you might get yourself into trouble if you call that product "Light Bush."

Still, I do think it is interesting that MoreBeer does have a Pliny clone kit available from time to time, which is basically sold under Russian River's brand name, http://morebeer.com/view_product/18...liny_the_Elder"_Double_IPA_-_Extract_Beer_Kit , and several other brewers lend their authorization to clone kits made by home brew shops (many on-line shops have various Pro Series kits). But for whatever reason, Bells didn't want to participate in that game. It's entirely their call.

 

That kit is Awesome

 

I'll openly admit that I've only caught the tail end of this thread, but . . .I was assigned Two-Hearted in an invitational competition called Clone Brew Wars last year. I wrote to Bells regarding the recipe, and they were very helpful and forthcoming with recipe basics and tips, and mine turned out great (even if I was ultimately denied victory in the contest). FWIW, the recipe is extremely simple... Domestic pale malt, and about 2% crystal 40 (a pound of crystal in 5 gallons *is* too much for this recipe). As mentioned before numerous times, it's all Centennial, bittered @ ~ 60 IBU iirc, and lots of late & dry hops. They use their own house yeast (which some have suggested is just chico, but the brewery didn't confirm this). I used East Coast Yeast's Old Newark Beer strain, and it turned out great.

 

I don't think the Bell's house yeast is Chico anymore, it has a little different character. I have used it form the bottles with good results. Look for the article in Zymurgy last summer where they covered making Two Hearted, they say for the best results culture from the bottle.

 

Yeah, I saw that... about 2 weeks afer the contest, lol. The person at the brewery I corresponded with suggested culturing the yeast from oberon, since it's a lower abv brew with more viable yeast - but I didn't have enough time to step it up multiple times, and I knew that ECY12 would fit the bill (highly attenuative, clean, and good flocc - even though I'd filter the beer anyway).

It was really, really, close.

 

Glad to hear this beer is turning out well! Can't really go wrong with this recipe.

Early posters, you guys are pretty bitter about your IPA's!

 

You'd have to know he whose name shall not be spoken to really understand what was going on at the time.

 

Mostly I just wanted to slide that pun in there

 

Northern Brewer has the Dead Ringer IPA which was the Three Hearted but needed to change the name b/c it was too close to Two Hearted. My friend brewed it and it was awesome! One of the best beers he has brewed as of yet. A must is a yeast started and it will give you beers that extra step towards greatness.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/dead-ringer-ipa-extract-kit.html