Blonde Recipe w/Belma Hops and Cry Havoc - Critique Me!

[reddskinnfan]

This is a Blonde Recipe that I brewed today:

Grains:

90.5% - 2-Row
7.0% - Honey Malt
2.5% - Carapils

Mash for 60 mins @ 152F

Hops:

.5 oz, 11.6 AA Belma - FWH
1.0 oz, 11.6 AA Belma - 10 min
1.5 oz, 11.6 AA Belma - 5 min

Yeast:

Cry Havoc - Double-stepped starter (3.5L and 3.5L) from a vial "born on" January 14th, 2014.

I have heard mixed reviews on the Belma Hop. In each of the negative instances, folks have mentioned "aroma" being grassy, almost hay-like. In each positive instance, people were head-over-heals in love with the clean bitterness and flavor that it imparted. So, I decided to do a little experiment with the hop, as I have never used it and had a LB sitting in the freezer. I chose to use the FWH for my bitterness addition, in hopes to also get additional flavor compounds from the long, gradual isomerization of the oils. I also chose to keep my other additions geared toward flavoring, rather than aroma (remember the grassy, hay-like comments).

While doing this experiment, I decided to go ahead and put together a combination that I have never done before. I chose the Cry Havoc yeast strain for it's 'reported' ability to work at ale temps, leaving some sweet fruity esters.

I also decided that while a "Honey Blonde" (Base malt and actual Honey) would be great, a "Honey Malt Blonde" (Using Base malt and Honey Malt) would be better.

As such, the above recipe took shape.

I just wanted to see what others thought about my rationale, the recipe and any other pointers that people have about the yeast, the hops or formulating Blonde ales.

Once it has finished, I will post a few pictures of the brew, and provide tasting notes.

P.S. If this turns out well, I may just enter it into a Comp.

 

[eluterio]

Ive used belma before but with a wheat and only 1oz at 7 mins just for flavor. I used wy1010 with it and has a melon type character to it. Im sure with the use of 2oz near the end you'll have more flavor then I. I would love to know what you think cause Im planning on brewing mine again but add a bit more belma 1 to 2 oz.

 

[reddskinnfan]

Ive used belma before but with a wheat and only 1oz at 7 mins just for flavor. I used wy1010 with it and has a melon type character to it. Im sure with the use of 2oz near the end you'll have more flavor then I. I would love to know what you think cause Im planning on brewing mine again but add a bit more belma 1 to 2 oz.

Yeah, mine was 2.5 within last 10 mins. This should be interesting, to say the least.

 

[Stvoffutt]

I know it might be a bit early but have you had a chance to sample this? I'm thinking about brewing an ale version pretty similar to yours but with Pac man.

 

[reddskinnfan]

I know it might be a bit early but have you had a chance to sample this? I'm thinking about brewing an ale version pretty similar to yours but with Pac man.

It turned out very nice!

Slight honey, malty, sweetness with strawberry and honeydew melon notes. Well balanced and very sessionable.

I did not dry hop and am happy I didn't.

Will post some pics once the beer clears a bit.

 

[eluterio]

In my wheat beer I think the next time i brew this I need to use more. I also picked up on melon notes not soo much strawberry but a sweet melon.... it took my wheat about 2 months to hit the sweet spot and now I cant put it down..