124 Abbey Clone

[admin]

Style: Belgian Dark Strong Ale
TYPE: All Grain

Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Batch Size: 18.93 L      
Boil Size: 22.80 L
Estimated OG: 1.082 SG - Actual 1.090
Estimated Color: 37.7 EBC
Estimated IBU: 24.0 IBU
Brewhouse Efficiency: 75.00 %
Boil Time: 90 Minutes

Ingredients:
------------
Amount        Item                                      Type         % or IBU      
4.00 kg       Pale Malt (2 Row) UK (5.9 EBC)            Grain        63.39 %      
0.80 kg       Munich Malt (17.7 EBC)                    Grain        12.68 %      
0.30 kg       Caramel/Crystal Malt - 80L (157.6 EBC)    Grain        4.75 %       
0.11 kg       Chocolate Malt (886.5 EBC)                Grain        1.74 %       
0.10 kg       Wheat Malt, Bel (3.9 EBC)                 Grain        1.58 %       
15.00 gm      Magnum [14.00 %]  (60 min)                Hops         21.5 IBU      
8.00 gm       Williamette [5.50 %]  (10 min)            Hops         1.6 IBU      
8.00 gm       Saaz [4.00 %]  (5 min)                    Hops         0.7 IBU      
1.00 kg       Sugar, Table (Sucrose) (2.0 EBC)          Sugar        15.85 %      
1 Pkgs        Belgian Ale (White Labs #WLP550)          Yeast-Ale      
                


Based on a recipe and a vial of WLP550 that Alex Lawes kindly gave me.

Did this last night, my first Belgian. I was surprised that the OG was so high and from what I read if I keep the temperature up (25+) I can expect this to still finish fairly low, like 1.012 maybe. Currently fermenting at 20 degrees, will raise temp as I go.

This could end up 10%+ ABV, which is a little strong for that HB competition in Galway, as I can't imagine too many people wanting pints of it!

[Will_D]

One of the secrets to giving beer to strangers ( like my misses ) is "DO NOT MENTION ABV".

I know from experience that if I give her a strong beer and lie about the abv - no problemo. She will drink a few glasses.

If I tell her its 8.5% stuff I tend to get on the second glass "Oh I feel Pi***d

[Will_D]

Tried that Will. She ended up arse-faced, puking, and had to spend half of Sunday in bed.

Errm??, One or two glasses ( less than a pint ) should not have this effect on "the least able to handle booze, girly in Ireland"

How many pints did you lash into herself?

[imark]

Nice recipe. Your temperature controller will be getting put through it's paces on this one. What size starter did you use? Have you a fermentation schedule in mind?

Tried that Will. She ended up arse-faced, puking, and had to spend half of Sunday in bed.

Priceless and I can relate to that 

[Cathal O D]

I used this yeast before and kept it around  20C. Started off at 1.070 and finished at 1.010.  I probably should have raised the temp to 25C towards the end but didnt have a controller. I have one now so will have to try this again. I will be interested to hear how yours turns out as well.

[imark]

I didn't use a starter, this being an ale. Just chucked in the contents of the vial from Alex.

Interesting. I am taking a different approach for mine. I'm building up a big starter with my vial and going high temp on the ferment.

[Ciderhead]

Nice recipe. Your temperature controller will be getting put through it's paces on this one. What size starter did you use? Have you a fermentation schedule in mind?

I didn't use a starter, this being an ale. Just chucked in the contents of the vial from Alex.

Hey Competiton winning brewer how big was the vial?, that could be risky surely, ya mad thing living on the edge , now please post to newbies why a vial is not normally enough

[Alex Lawes]

Recipe looks familiar too!

On the temp start low enough and you can raise it up to 30 if you want.

I wouldn't go higher than 25 though.

[imark]

Any update on this? What's she finishing at?

I used this on a brew I did Sunday. 1.068 + 1.5L starter @19C. Want to get down to ~1.008.

[DEMPSEY]

Had a taste of it and it is a nice Belgium,you would not guess the strength.

[imark]

How was the flavour from the yeast? It gives off a strong banana smell.