Please help me find the perfect light ale recipe

[Shakybones]

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions! I just weighed out a slight variation on Biermunchers Centennial Blonde:

For 4.5 gal (going into my stupid 5 gal carboy, since everything else is full of IPA and mead)

7lbs 2 row
1lb Vienna
0.25lb Crystal 40L
0.25oz Centennial 60 min
0.25oz Centennial 25 min
0.25oz Centennial 15 min
0.25oz Centennial 2 min
US-05

Should be ~1.046 OG and ~25 IBU and finish me at about 5% ABV. When I screw up, it's usually lower efficiency or higher volume (if that happens I'll have to get creative...), so it should be drinkable. I may adjust further to drop the OG and ABV slightly.

Schol-R-LEA - I have to be in the right mood for Belgian beers. Of course, when I think Belgian, I think sour, so I may just be suffering from a limited scope of experience.

stevedasleeve - Sounds like a good suggestion. I'll stick with what I've weighed for now, but I may play around with something like that. I'm really enjoying playing around with recipes in Brewsmith, but I'm still a bit wary of untested waters. I'd hate to screw up the pipeline and have to actually go buy beer. I think I'll wait until I've built up my reserves.

I was also thinking about trying out Da Yooper's House Pale Ale. Anybody got experience with it?

 

[Schol-R-LEA]

I have to be in the right mood for Belgian beers. Of course, when I think Belgian, I think sour, so I may just be suffering from a limited scope of experience.

Ah, OK. Saisons generally aren't particularly sour, though some have a little bit of tartness to them. They definitely have that Belgian 'funk', however, less than something like Chimay but present nonetheless.

 

[Shakybones]

I must thank all who recommended Biermuncher's Centennial Blonde. I just poured my first draught (a bit soon, but I'm impatient so I force carb) and it is very tasty, light and refreshing. It should be fantastic after another a week or so in the fridge.

Da Yooper's House Pale Ale is up next (1 wk in primary now).

 

[user 103238]

Haha, great to hear! I believe I suggested it first, and my lies were confirmed by several others. It's hard to beat in the summer, and it should get even better with more time. I just put my 2nd keg from my split batch in my kegerator about 30 minutes. It's been conditioning for over a month. I'll probably sneak a small sample tonight with dinner! Glad you are enjoying it!!