BJCP co2 levels for belgian ales?

[theonetrueruss]

Ok, not sure where to ask this but as near I can tell the BJCP guidelines for CO2 levels for belgian ales just doesn't match up with what I want or expect out of a belgian style ale. If I opened a bottle of St Bernardis or a Duvel and it was carbonated up to the low levels BJCP listed I would know I had a bad flat bottle and something was terribly wrong.

What gives with those numbers? Can someone explain? Surely there is some explanation out there. I just don't seem to be able to find it.

 

[theonetrueruss]

ok, so I was looking on the BJCP site and don't see any mention of specific CO2 volume levels.. where are the folks who are quoting CO2 levels from BJCP getting their numbers... clearly this is bugging me. maybe I should chill and have a brew.

 

[meadowstream]

You are right that the oft-cited 2.4 volumes level for Belgians does not match up to the corked, bottle-conditioned levels of a Chimay, Westmalle, Duvel or many other brewers. I think the levels are 3.5+ volumes.

 

[theonetrueruss]

Is there maybe some historical context to the 2.4 number? I'm not letting that get in my way of making my Belgian inspired ales of course but am really just curious. It is sorta nagging at my sub-conscious.

 

[MachineShopBrewing]

The BJCP is really made for competitions which only allow regular bottles with caps for the most part. 3.5+ volumes of CO2 would be unsafe in such bottles.

 

[meadowstream]

+1 on that explanation MachineShopBrewing