This article is part of Fermentation Friday where homebrewers around the world write on a common theme.
The topic for this month: Homebrewed doppelgangers. What beers have you attempted to duplicate in your own homes, or which ones have you always wanted to reproduce, but have been wary of attempting? And it comes to us from Rob over at Pfiff!
Maybe the best reason to brew your own version of a beer is because you just can’t get it locally. That’s why I decided to brew this recipe.
It’s the ever-popular Watermelon Wheat based on the one from the 21st Amendment brewpub in San Francisco. After hearing about it for so long on the Brewing Network I had to try creating my own version.
I started by gathering as much data as I could, scouring internet forums and listening to the BN podcasts for little hints on formulating the base recipe and details on when and how much watermelon to add. Overall I was pretty happy with how the beer turned out and several others who tried it enjoyed it as well.
I finally had a chance to taste the real thing on my recent trip to the National Homebrewers Conference. As I didn’t try them side by side, I couldn’t say for sure that it was “cloned” but it was in the ballpark at least.
Fortunately the 21A brews are getting some wider distribution – so maybe soon I’ll be able to get my hands on some cans and do a real blind comparison.
If you want to brew this recipe I hear watermelons are now in-season at the farmers markets so give them a look.
Photo gratuitously jacked from the 21A website. If you ever have the chance, stop in and drink their beers – all of them are excellent!
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Hi there! My name is Jimmy VerVaecke and I’m a brewer. I discovered brewing in 2004 and have been hooked ever since.
My beer has won numerous awards, including one at the National level. 
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You can find it as close as Virginia, so you may want to keep an eye out the next time you are up that way.
Cool. I knew they were in the northeast, didn’t know they had made it down as far as VA yet. There much have been some oversight in skipping the biggest beer state on the east coast! :)