Spotted Cow has become a beloved brew for many, known for its smooth, creamy texture and slightly sweet, refreshing taste. Originating from Wisconsin, this farmhouse ale has a unique flavor that’s hard to find outside the local area. That’s why we’re excited to share our Spotted Cow clone recipe so you can enjoy this classic beer anytime at home.
Brewing your own Spotted Cow clone allows us to capture the essence of this regional favorite while customizing it to our taste. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is perfect for both beginners and experienced homebrewers. Let’s dive into crafting a delicious beer that rivals the original and brings a taste of Wisconsin straight to our glass.
Ingredients
To replicate the unique taste of Spotted Cow, we carefully selected ingredients that balance malt sweetness, hop bitterness, and subtle farmhouse flavors. Below are the essentials you’ll need to get started on brewing your own Spotted Cow Clone.
Malt Ingredients
The malt backbone is crucial for achieving the smooth, creamy mouthfeel and slightly sweet profile of the original ale. Here’s what we use:
- 6 lbs Pale Malt (2-row) – provides the base malt character and fermentable sugars
- 1 lb Munich Malt – adds a rich, malty depth with a slight toast
- 0.5 lb Flaked Corn – contributes a light sweetness and enhances body
- 0.25 lb Carapils/Dextrine Malt – boosts head retention and fullness
- 0.25 lb Crystal Malt 20L – imparts subtle caramel notes and richness
| Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Pale Malt (2-row) | 6 lbs | Base malt for fermentable sugars |
| Munich Malt | 1 lb | Malty depth and slight toast |
| Flaked Corn | 0.5 lb | Light sweetness and body enhancer |
| Carapils/Dextrine Malt | 0.25 lb | Improves head retention and mouthfeel |
| Crystal Malt 20L | 0.25 lb | Adds caramel sweetness and richness |
Hops and Yeast
To create the balanced bitterness with mild hop aroma, we carefully chose these hops and yeast strains:
- 0.5 oz Willamette Hops (60 min) – classic earthy and floral bitterness
- 0.25 oz Willamette Hops (10 min) – gentle hop aroma without overpowering
- Wyeast 3763 Belgian Saison Yeast or White Labs WLP565 Belgian Saison Yeast – farmhouse yeast that adds subtle fruity and spicy notes characteristic of Spotted Cow
Additional Flavorings
To capture the slight tartness and signature smooth texture, these additional ingredients are essential:
- 1 Whirlfloc Tablet (at 15 min) – improves clarity for a bright finish
- Priming Sugar (for bottling) – typically 3/4 cup corn sugar to create carbonation that matches the original’s effervescence
- Optional: A small pinch of lactose (milk sugar) can be added in the last 10 minutes of the boil to enhance creaminess without adding sweetness
By combining these ingredients with precise brewing methods, we recreate the refreshing, easy-drinking nature that makes Spotted Cow distinctive.
Equipment Needed
To brew our Spotted Cow Clone with precision and ease, having the right equipment is essential. Below we outline the necessary tools for both brewing and fermentation to ensure a smooth process and excellent results.
Brewing Equipment
For crafting the perfect clone of this iconic farmhouse ale, make sure you have the following brewing essentials on hand:
- Brew Kettle (at least 5 gallons) – for boiling your wort
- Mash Tun – to hold and steep grains during the mashing process
- Grain Bag – used if performing a partial mash
- Stirring Spoon – preferably stainless steel or food-grade plastic
- Thermometer – to monitor mash and boiling temperatures accurately
- Hydrometer or Refractometer – for measuring original and final gravity to track fermentation progress
- Wort Chiller (immersion or counterflow) – to rapidly cool the wort after boiling
- Measuring Cups and Spoons – precise ingredient additions, such as hops and priming sugar
- Sanitizer – absolute necessity to prevent contamination
| Equipment | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Brew Kettle | Boiling wort |
| Mash Tun | Mashing grains |
| Grain Bag | Containing grains during mash |
| Stirring Spoon | Mixing ingredients |
| Thermometer | Temperature monitoring |
| Hydrometer/Refractometer | Gravity measurement |
| Wort Chiller | Cooling wort quickly |
| Measuring Cups/Spoons | Accurate ingredient measuring |
| Sanitizer | Cleaning and sanitizing equipment |
Fermentation Supplies
Once the wort is ready, these supplies are vital for a successful fermentation and achieving the smooth, refreshing finish characteristic of Spotted Cow:
- Fermentation Vessel (carboy or food-grade bucket) – to hold the wort during fermentation
- Airlock and Stopper – to allow CO₂ escape while preventing oxygen and contaminants from entering
- Thermometer Strip or External Probe – monitor fermentation temperature effectively
- Siphon and Tubing – for transferring beer without introducing oxygen
- Bottling Bucket with Spigot – simplifies bottling with priming sugar
- Bottles and Caps – to store your finished beer
- Capper – to securely seal bottles
| Equipment | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Fermentation Vessel | Primary fermentation container |
| Airlock and Stopper | Gas release with contamination protection |
| Thermometer Strip/Probe | Temperature tracking during fermentation |
| Siphon and Tubing | Oxygen-free beer transfer |
| Bottling Bucket | Mixing and bottling convenience |
| Bottles and Caps | Packaging the final product |
| Capper | Sealing bottled beer |
Instructions
Follow these detailed steps to brew our Spotted Cow Clone. We will guide you through preparation, brewing, fermentation, and bottling to achieve that smooth and refreshing farmhouse ale.
Preparation
- Sanitize all brewing equipment thoroughly to prevent contamination.
- Measure and prepare the grains:
- Crush the Pale Malt, Munich Malt, Carapils, Crystal Malt, and flaked corn.
- Heat water to strike temperature (around 165°F) for mashing.
- Prepare hops and have yeast and additional additives like Whirlfloc tablets and lactose ready.
- Set up your mash tun, thermometer, and stirring spoon within reach for efficiency.
Brewing Process
- Mash the crushed grains in the mash tun by adding strike water.
- Maintain mash temperature between 150°F and 154°F for 60 minutes to extract fermentable sugars.
- Stir regularly to ensure even temperature distribution.
- After mashing, remove the grain bag and allow it to drain into the kettle.
- Bring the wort to a boil and add Willamette hops according to the schedule below:
| Time (minutes) | Addition | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | 1 oz Willamette | Bittering |
| 15 | Whirlfloc Tablet | Clarity |
| 5 | 0.5 oz Willamette | Aroma |
- After the 60-minute boil, cool the wort rapidly using a wort chiller to about 70°F.
- Transfer cooled wort into the sanitized fermentation vessel.
Fermentation
- Pitch the Belgian Saison yeast into the wort.
- Seal the fermentation vessel with an airlock and place it in a dark location at 68°F to 72°F.
- Allow fermentation to proceed for 10-14 days, monitoring temperature and airlock activity.
- Optional: Add a pinch of lactose after primary fermentation to boost creaminess.
- Use a hydrometer to ensure fermentation is complete, targeting a final gravity around 1.012.
Bottling and Carbonation
- Prepare a priming sugar solution to carbonate the beer. Use approx 4 oz corn sugar boiled in 2 cups water.
- Add the cooled priming sugar solution to a sanitized bottling bucket.
- Siphon the fermented beer gently into the bottling bucket, mixing with the priming sugar solution.
- Fill sanitized bottles to about 1 inch below the neck and cap securely.
- Store bottles at 70°F for 2 weeks to carbonate.
- Chill and enjoy a perfectly smooth, refreshing Spotted Cow Clone farmhouse ale.
By following these precise steps, we ensure our clone captures the distinct flavor and texture of the original Spotted Cow, giving us a truly satisfying homemade brew.
Tips for Perfecting Your Spotted Cow Clone Recipe
Mastering the art of brewing our Spotted Cow Clone requires attention to detail and thoughtful tweaks. These tips will help us refine the flavor and avoid common pitfalls to achieve a smooth, refreshing farmhouse ale just like the original.
Adjusting Flavor Profiles
To customize our Spotted Cow Clone and capture its signature taste, consider these adjustments carefully:
- Malt Sweetness and Body:
Increase or decrease the Crystal Malt up to 10% of the grain bill to adjust caramel sweetness and color depth. More Carapils/Dextrine Malt enhances creaminess and mouthfeel without overwhelming sweetness.
- Corn Addition:
Flaked corn provides a subtle crispness and lightens body. Adjust between 10-15% to balance smoothness with drinkability.
- Hop Bitterness and Aroma:
Use Willamette Hops as the backbone for mild bitterness. For a slightly hoppier profile, increase late additions by 5-10% without making it aggressively bitter.
- Yeast Character:
The Belgian Saison Yeast contributes subtle fruity and spicy notes. Ensure proper fermentation temperature (65-75°F) to emphasize these traits. Lower temperatures produce a cleaner profile.
- Lactose Addition (Optional):
Adding a pinch of lactose (about 0.25 lb per 5 gallons) enriches creaminess and residual sweetness without fermenting out, enhancing the smooth mouthfeel.
| Component | Impact on Flavor | Suggested Adjustment Range |
|---|---|---|
| Crystal Malt | Caramel sweetness, color | 5-10% of grain bill |
| Carapils/Dextrine Malt | Creaminess, mouthfeel | 3-7% of grain bill |
| Flaked Corn | Crispness, light body | 10-15% of grain bill |
| Willamette Hops | Mild bitterness, aroma | 1-1.5 oz late addition |
| Lactose (optional) | Sweetness, creaminess | 0.2-0.3 lb per 5 gallons |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
We can avoid many brewing headaches by recognizing and addressing typical challenges when brewing our Spotted Cow Clone:
- Dull or Muted Flavor:
Cause: Under-pitching yeast or fermenting too cold.
Fix: Use a healthy yeast starter and maintain fermentation temperature within 65-75°F for optimal yeast activity. - Overly Sweet or Cloying Finish:
Cause: Excessive unfermentable sugars or lactose.
Fix: Reduce lactose or crystal malt additions. Ensure full fermentation by monitoring specific gravity with a hydrometer. - Cloudy Appearance:
Cause: Insufficient chilling or lack of fining agents.
Fix: Cool wort rapidly using a wort chiller and add a Whirlfloc Tablet during the last 15 minutes of the boil for better clarity. - Flat or Low Carbonation:
Cause: Inaccurate priming sugar measurement or poor bottling technique.
Fix: Measure priming sugar precisely (typically 4-5 oz corn sugar for 5 gallons), mix gently but thoroughly, and cap bottles tightly. - Off-Flavors (Solvent, Sulfur, or Metallic):
Cause: Poor sanitation, stressed yeast, or contaminated water.
Fix: Sanitize equipment thoroughly, use fresh yeast, and test water quality before brewing.
| Issue | Common Cause | Recommended Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Dull Flavor | Under-pitching, cold fermentation | Use yeast starter, maintain 65-75°F temp |
| Overly Sweet Finish | Excess unfermentables | Reduce lactose/crystal malt, check gravity |
| Cloudy Beer | Poor chilling, no finings | Rapid chill, use Whirlfloc Tablet |
| Low Carbonation | Incorrect priming sugar | Measure sugar accurately, cap tightly |
| Off-Flavors | Sanitation, yeast stress | Sanitize well, use healthy yeast |
By following these tips for flavor adjustment and troubleshooting, we can confidently craft a Spotted Cow Clone that delights with every sip.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoying our Spotted Cow Clone at its best involves pairing it with the right foods and serving methods to accentuate its smooth texture and refreshing farmhouse ale character. Here are our carefully curated Serving Suggestions to enhance your tasting experience:
Ideal Glassware
- Serve the Spotted Cow Clone in a tulip glass or a snifter to concentrate its delicate aroma and maintain the creamy head.
- A clean, chilled glass between 45-50°F (7-10°C) brings out the best balance of its malt sweetness and hop freshness.
Food Pairings
The gentle malt backbone and mild bitterness allow this ale to pair well with a variety of dishes:
| Food Type | Pairing Description |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin Cheeses | Sharp cheddar or Colby complements the malt sweetness |
| Grilled Meats | Bratwurst and other sausages enhance the ale’s farmhouse character |
| Light Salads | Mixed greens with vinaigrette offer a refreshing contrast |
| Spicy Snacks | Buffalo wings or spicy cheeses balance bitterness with heat |
| Baked Pretzels | Classic Wisconsin pretzels with mustard emphasize local tradition |
Serving Temperature
Maintain a serving temperature of 45-50°F (7-10°C). This preserves the Spotted Cow Clone’s creamy mouthfeel while highlighting subtle malt and hop notes without overpowering bitterness.
Additional Enhancements
- Consider serving with a small side of lactose-based cheese dip to complement the optional lactose addition in the recipe.
- Garnish with a fresh lemon twist for those who enjoy an added citrus aroma that complements the Willamette hops.
“Proper serving enriches the sensory experience. The smooth and easy-drinking nature of the Spotted Cow Clone stands out when it’s paired thoughtfully.”
By following these Serving Suggestions, we elevate our homebrew, honoring the original Spotted Cow’s unique flavor profile and creamy finish.
Conclusion
Brewing your own Spotted Cow Clone opens up a world of creativity and satisfaction. With the right ingredients, equipment, and techniques, we can craft a beer that captures the smooth, refreshing character of the original.
Experimenting with the recipe allows us to tailor the flavor exactly to our liking while honing our brewing skills. Sharing this homemade brew with friends and family makes the experience even more rewarding.
Let’s raise a glass to great beer and the joy of brewing it ourselves. Cheers to many successful batches ahead!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spotted Cow farmhouse ale known for?
Spotted Cow is known for its smooth texture, refreshing taste, and easy-drinking farmhouse ale profile. It features a balanced malt backbone and subtle hop aroma.
Can beginners brew the Spotted Cow clone at home?
Yes, the clone recipe is designed to be accessible for both beginners and experienced brewers, with clear, step-by-step instructions.
What are the key ingredients to replicate Spotted Cow?
Essential ingredients include Pale Malt, Munich Malt, Flaked Corn, Carapils/Dextrine Malt, Crystal Malt, Willamette Hops, Belgian Saison Yeast, and optional lactose for creaminess.
What equipment is needed to brew the Spotted Cow clone?
You need a brew kettle, mash tun, grain bag, stirring spoon, thermometer, hydrometer or refractometer, wort chiller, fermentation vessel, airlock, siphon, bottling bucket, bottles, caps, and a capper.
How long does the brewing and fermentation process take?
Brewing typically takes several hours, followed by fermentation that usually lasts about 1 to 2 weeks before bottling.
How can I ensure a smooth finish and proper carbonation?
Using priming sugar during bottling and optionally a pinch of lactose helps enhance carbonation and gives the beer a creamy, smooth finish.
What are common issues when brewing this recipe and how to fix them?
Common issues include dull flavors, low carbonation, or cloudiness. Adjust malt amounts, ensure proper sanitation, and control fermentation temperatures to avoid these problems.
What is the ideal serving temperature for Spotted Cow clone ale?
Serve between 45-50°F (7-10°C) to best highlight the malt sweetness and hop freshness.
What glassware enhances the tasting experience?
A tulip glass or snifter is recommended to concentrate aromas and help maintain the creamy head.
What foods pair well with Spotted Cow clone ale?
Pair with Wisconsin cheeses, grilled meats, light salads, spicy snacks, or baked pretzels for a complementary flavor experience.