Belgian Dark Strong Ale
BJCP 2008 – 18E

Statistics

Fermentables

Amount Fermentable %
10.00 pounds Belgian Plisen Malt 33.3%
20.00 pounds German Dark Munich Malt 66.7%
30.00 pounds Total Fermentable Weight 100%

Hops

Amount Hop Time Use Form AA
1.00 ouncesChallenger120 minutesBoilPellets6.7%
1.00 ouncesStyrian Golding20 minutesBoilPellets3.5%
0.50 ouncesSterling20 minutesBoilPellets6.0%
2.50 ounces Total Hop Weight

Yeasts

Name Lab/Manufacturer Product ID Form
TrappistWhite LabsWLP500Liquid

Fermentation and Aging

Primary:
7 days @ 68° F
Secondary:
7 days @ 68° F
Age:
48 days @ 65° F

General Info

A recipe sent to me by Charlie Papazian himself in response to a plea I made on TechTalk for a Kwak-type clone.

Can substitute WLP530 or WLP500 if needed.

Procedure

From Charlie’s notes:

A single step infusion mash is employed to mash the grains. Add 15 quarts (14 l) of 167 degree F (75 C) water to the crushed grain, stir, stabilize and hold the temperature at 150 degrees F (65.5 C) for 60 minutes.

After conversion, raise temperature to 167 degrees F (75 C), lauter and sparge with 5 gallons (19 l) of 170 degree F (77 C) water. Collect 7 gallons (27 l) of runoff and add bittering hops and bring to a full and vigorous boil.

The total boil time will be 120 minutes. When 20 minutes remain add flavor hops. When 10 minutes remain add Irish moss. After a total wort boil of 120 minutes (reducing the wort volume to just over 5 gallons) turn off the heat then separate or strain out and sparge hops. Chill the wort to 70 degrees F (21C) and direct into a sanitized fermenter. Aerate the cooled wort well. Add an active yeast culture and ferment for 4 to 6 days in the primary. Then transfer into a secondary fermenter and age for one month preferably at about 70 degrees F (21C).

When secondary aging complete, prime with sugar, bottle or keg. Let condition at temperatures above 60 degrees F (15.5 C) until clear and carbonated.