Is this recipe from my LHBS too simple? I'm curious

cowpoly · Apr 10, 2015

So today I decided I wanted to try my first Belgian Strong Ale. I've been lurking in this forum for a while and have seen some really crazy recipes in here. Today I decided to go to my LHBS to see if they could whip me up something, and here's what I got:

Belgian Golden Strong Ale (2gal)
4.4# Pilsner malt
1lb cane sugar
.75oz Saaz hops
Safbrew T-58 yeast

The directions they gave me were that the beer would only need to ferment for one week, but as I've seen over this forum, most people keep their beer fermenting longer.

Any tips, hints, critiques?

aStoutObserver · Apr 10, 2015

What size is this? 2.5 gallons? Is it a full 5?

For me I don't like this recipe. The cane sugar bothers me. Other than that though, depending on the size, it could be okay.

What yeast, also?

chickypad · Apr 10, 2015

It looks fine for a 2 gal batch, is that what you are planning? Tripels and golden strongs are often just 80-85% pilsner with the rest simple sugar. Depending on the strain I usually like pitching on the lower end of the yeast range like mid 60's and letting it rise to mid 70's. What yeast are you using? One week is pretty short for a big beer, Belgian yeasts usually attenuate down pretty well and you want to make absolutely sure it's done before packaging.

schematix · Apr 10, 2015

Need to know batch size and yeast selection.

This style typically has a very simple ingredient list. Magic is in the process.

how1 · Apr 11, 2015

Is this a 1 gallon recipe?

cowpoly · Apr 11, 2015

chickypad said:
It looks fine for a 2 gal batch, is that what you are planning? Tripels and golden strongs are often just 80-85% pilsner with the rest simple sugar. Depending on the strain I usually like pitching on the lower end of the yeast range like mid 60's and letting it rise to mid 70's. What yeast are you using? One week is pretty short for a big beer, Belgian yeasts usually attenuate down pretty well and you want to make absolutely sure it's done before packaging.

Yeah I'm going for a two gallon batch, Safbrew T-58. I had more info posted about the brew but I guess I posted it in the wrong place and lost the info I put in about batch size and yeast.