Midnight Sun stouts

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Jeffo, Jan 14, 2015.

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  1. Jeffo

    Jeffo Pooh-Bah (2,874) Sep 7, 2008 Netherlands
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Hi everyone,

    I'm a big fan of Midnight Sun's imperial stout beer and am curious if anyone has tried to clone any of them. Berserker, Bar Fly and Moscow are all world class in my books. Any recipes, tips, experiences or information would be greatly appreciated. I'm not necessarily trying to clone any one of them per se, but simply trying to capture some of that Midnight Sun nastiness in some of my imperial stout brews. Inspiration I guess.

    Thanks,
    Jeff
     
    #1 Jeffo, Jan 14, 2015
  2. OldSock

    OldSock Maven (1,418) Apr 3, 2005 District of Columbia

    What in particular do you like about them compared to other Imperial Stouts? Maybe the combo of molasses and bourbon barrels in Berserker and Bar Fly?
     
    #2 OldSock, Jan 14, 2015
  3. Scumbag81

    Scumbag81 Initiate (0) Sep 10, 2014 California
    Trader

    They all seem to have 30 or less IBU ,as does arctic devil, which is quite different from los of other stouts out there.

    The older vintages of bar fly and berserker were aged in red wine barrels.
     
    #3 Scumbag81, Jan 14, 2015
  4. OldSock

    OldSock Maven (1,418) Apr 3, 2005 District of Columbia

    I see 45 IBUs for Bar Fly and Moscow. Although that is still pretty low for big stouts.
     
    #4 OldSock, Jan 14, 2015
  5. OddNotion

    OddNotion Pooh-Bah (1,915) Nov 1, 2009 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    Subscribing to this one to hear thoughts. My favorite part about their Stouts/Porters/Barleyinwes is that mouthfeel that they achieve with those low ibus - yet none of the beers I have had from them have been overly sweet or cloying. I tried emailing them a couple of years ago about Treat but never receive any type of response from them.
     
    #5 OddNotion, Jan 14, 2015
  6. Jeffo

    Jeffo Pooh-Bah (2,874) Sep 7, 2008 Netherlands
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Particularly I enjoy the following about them:

    - Very deep black color. Among the blackest of the style.
    - Dark, dark brown head. Darker than 99% of the competition.
    - Lots of sweetness without being overly cloying.
    - Thick and syrupy mouth feel but again, not overly cloying.
    - The molasses and maple syrup work great in Berserker. Would love to know how much and when they add it.
    - Enjoy the touch of smoke in Bar Fly. Would love to know which malt they use and how much.
    - Wonder if they use a particular bourbon barrel each year for Berserker.
    - Love the Rye addition in Moscow. Curious what amount they included in the grain bill.
    - Curious to the hops used and if they use any later additions at all. I can imagine they don't.
    - Related to the things above, I'd be curious what the OG and FG are on these. I can imagine they're rather high on the spectrum, especially for Berserker.

    These are just some random thoughts. Perhaps someone out there has tried to clone one of the brews and it would be fun to hear how it went. As far as I understand, Midnight Sun is pretty silent about their recipes and processes.

    Thanks,
    Jeff
     
    #6 Jeffo, Jan 14, 2015
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