Assistance building tasty Belgian Ale?

[Dave Sarber]

I started at mid 60s and let it free rise to about 73F. It was done within just a few days. I actually didn't get around to kegging as of my above post last week, but I did do it last night. And I'll be honest when I say I was bummed that there was no Belgian character at all when I tested the gravity sample last week, but a week later and things have changed significantly.

It's still carbing up mind you, but I had to pull a sample tonight to see how it's doing. It's a Belgian, alright! The esters and phenolics aren't crazy high, but I definitely pick up subtle aromas that point in a generally Belgian direction and that's what I was hoping for. As for the flavor, it's spot on for my tastes. Complex flavors from the D45, mildly sweet but interestingly dry at the same time. There's a satisfying weight from the 7% ABV, but it's not hot at all. I can't wait till it's fully carbed. I bottled a gallon as well for Christmas, to so it'll be interesting to see how it compares with the kegged main batch.

Will post back with final results on this.

If you like BSDA, try Omega OYL20. Has a nice dark stonefruit flavor.

 

[rhys333]

The finished product.

 

[trailrider]

If you like BSDA, try Omega OYL20. Has a nice dark stonefruit flavor.

I plan on brewing a BSDA in the next month or two and right now it's a toss up on the yeast. My thoughts were to use either Wyeast 1214 (Chimay) or 1762 (Rochefort) until I read that OYL 20 provides the dark stone fruit flavor I'm after. I checked Omega's web site and it seems like they don't package the OYL 20 for the home brewer or I may have just missed something. Hopefully I can get some feed back from someone that has used either of the wyeast strains or some info on how to get the OYL 20 packaged for home brewer.

 

[Dave Sarber]

I plan on brewing a BSDA in the next month or two and right now it's a toss up on the yeast. My thoughts were to use either Wyeast 1214 (Chimay) or 1762 (Rochefort) until I read that OYL 20 provides the dark stone fruit flavor I'm after. I checked Omega's web site and it seems like they don't package the OYL 20 for the home brewer or I may have just missed something. Hopefully I can get some feed back from someone that has used either of the wyeast strains or some info on how to get the OYL 20 packaged for home brewer.

You can order the OYL20 in homebrewer size from Northern Brewer, that's where I get mine.

 

[trailrider]

You can order the OYL20 in homebrewer size from Northern Brewer, that's where I get mine.

Thanks for the info.

 

[luckybeagle]

The finished product.View attachment 657293

Gorgeous brew.

 

[Horseflesh]

I just finished a golden strong ale with Imperial B51 "Workhorse" and am pretty happy with it. It's the Kasteel strain, and it has that Belgian something-something that I was unable to get from WLP 500 or WLP 530. Not sure the Wyeast equivalents for all these.

 

[Stand]

This is pretty handy: https://www.saltcitybrewsupply.com/media/YeastComparison3.pdf

 

[rhys333]

I was gifted a bottle of Unibroue Maudite for Christmas. Always a favorite. Drinking it this time, I'm surprised because I'm preferring the homebrewed dubbel. The Maudite has more Belgian yeast aroma, but the HB has more flavor.