Frank-the-Tank
Active Member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2018
- Messages
- 26
- Reaction score
- 7
The original Newcastle Brown Ale was one of my favorites, and the new stuff is a far cry from the original.
I am on a mission to get the original Newky Brown recipe, with that subtle signature sweetness, once and for all.
But I believe there is more to the whole story.
It is my assertion that the sweet taste of the original Newcastle is from Coca Cola or Pepsi. I have always felt like there was more of a caramel characteristic to the taste, however caramel color was all that was admitted to being added.
Check this out, 4-MEI was the chemical in the caramel coloring that some people were so concerned about, the same chemical in the caramel coloring of Coke and Pepsi. Coke didn’t stop making Coke. Pepsi didn’t stop making Pepsi. They just found a different caramel color...but Newcastle had to completely change the beer! Why? Because the executives knew that if they ever got found out for using another trademarked flavor, they would get buried, and the 4-MEI mess was the perfect reason to extricate themselves from having a popular cola in their recipe once and for all.
Did they care that we all loved it? No! They were concerned with their company, and who could blame them really.
Anyways, I am beginning an experiment to prove my hypothesis. You can bet I will have a 2-liter bottle of Coke sitting next to my brew stand when I do my next Newky clone. The question is when to add it. Should it go in with the yeast? How about in a secondary? Perhaps it should be added to the boil.
I will keep this thread updated, and I will post the exact recipe that tastes exactly like the original Newky.
In the meantime, I have clone recipes for one brew, but I haven’t been able to find separate recipes for the original Newcastle dark ale or the original Newcastle amber ale that were blended. It would be great if someone could add those recipes if they have them.
Join the quest to bring back The Dog forever, only available in homebrew, and never, ever again to be sold commercially.
Thank you for your support.
I am on a mission to get the original Newky Brown recipe, with that subtle signature sweetness, once and for all.
But I believe there is more to the whole story.
It is my assertion that the sweet taste of the original Newcastle is from Coca Cola or Pepsi. I have always felt like there was more of a caramel characteristic to the taste, however caramel color was all that was admitted to being added.
Check this out, 4-MEI was the chemical in the caramel coloring that some people were so concerned about, the same chemical in the caramel coloring of Coke and Pepsi. Coke didn’t stop making Coke. Pepsi didn’t stop making Pepsi. They just found a different caramel color...but Newcastle had to completely change the beer! Why? Because the executives knew that if they ever got found out for using another trademarked flavor, they would get buried, and the 4-MEI mess was the perfect reason to extricate themselves from having a popular cola in their recipe once and for all.
Did they care that we all loved it? No! They were concerned with their company, and who could blame them really.
Anyways, I am beginning an experiment to prove my hypothesis. You can bet I will have a 2-liter bottle of Coke sitting next to my brew stand when I do my next Newky clone. The question is when to add it. Should it go in with the yeast? How about in a secondary? Perhaps it should be added to the boil.
I will keep this thread updated, and I will post the exact recipe that tastes exactly like the original Newky.
In the meantime, I have clone recipes for one brew, but I haven’t been able to find separate recipes for the original Newcastle dark ale or the original Newcastle amber ale that were blended. It would be great if someone could add those recipes if they have them.
Join the quest to bring back The Dog forever, only available in homebrew, and never, ever again to be sold commercially.
Thank you for your support.