AG#60 - Belgian Honey Beer (Duvel Yeast)

[floydmeddler]

Sorry to hear that Spud dude. Hope you're not in too much pain No harm in leaving it in my opinion. My last Belgian became better and better as time progressed. Yours will too. I keep having to check my air lock every few days to make sure there is still a tight seal. I'm using a Better Bottle and for some reason, in the past, the bung has lost its grip. If you're using a Better Bottle, keep checking she's tight as a nun's...

Floyd

[Spud395]

Thanks for the tip, yeah it's in a BB.
Havnt had that in the past, but not used it for extended periods either, mostly dry hopping or just racking off the yeast for a week or so.

The pain is not so bad, I find I can self medicate quite well

[floydmeddler]

Good stuff. Ah... the many perks of this hobbie eh?

[jmc]

Hi

Honey beer sounds great.

If you are leaving your Belgian brews in a better bottle secondary FV, do you need to keep it in the dark?

BB sound like a good idea, as I dont trust seal on FV lids, even ones with fermentation locks.

I'm just worried it will get light-struck in a clear vessel. If its OK I have a 5 gal carboy I could use?
TIA John

[floydmeddler]

Hey John. Yes, sunlight mustn't shine upon the sacred beer. My BB wears a jumper

[floydmeddler]

Bottled now... Yee ha! Carbonation level - 2.4 Vol





Will start enjoying in 2 weeks time

[floydmeddler]

This beer is superb. Everyone loves it... even my missus and she hates beer as a rule! This is a definite keeper. Perfect to sip on a day like today

[jmc]

great post Floyd!

interested to see how it turns out.
what's the plan for bottling? keep some of the duvel yeast in suspension and bottle from there, or fresh yeast when the time comes?

Hi Floyd

Great to hear its a success.

Did you add any fresh yeast at bottling time?

ATB John

[floydmeddler]

Yes I did. I made up a small 200ml Duvel yeast starter and pitched the slurry into the bottling bucket. Just after a BBQ with some friends and they loved it.

[jmc]

20.0 g Orange zest - added during boil, boiled 5 min
.....
The orange zest:

Hi Floyd

After trying a few Chimay brews I'm finally going to give this recipe a go at the weekend

Yeast starter on the go from 2 bottles Duvel.

I wondered how many oranges do you need for 20g zest?

ATB John

[floydmeddler]

Hey John. Really glad you're going to give this a go. It's fantastic! Have looked at my brew notes for this brew and I recorded that 1 orange give on average, 7g of zest. Be careful that you only take the est and not the pith.

Perhaps you could do some brew day photos and update as it unfolds. Would love to follow your progress on it!

[jmc]

Hi Floyd

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.
I'll try and take a few pics.

I've built a valentine arm based on yours and that worked great in my last Caledonian 80/- brew.

Not so successful was the new sparge arm. Pitiful flow rate due to lack of head

Sparging may be problematic, but still looking forward to a Belgian brew.

Very nice of the Royals to set up a good brewing weekend for us.

ATB
John

[floydmeddler]

Jeeze, you've got some amount of beers on the go! Yep, the Royals are ever so kind - Look forward to Harry's already!

One thing though... I don't have a valentine arm??? You must be mixing me up with someone else. I do like the look of them though... you may have planted a seed!

Keep us posted of this exciting brew!

[jmc]

Hi

I'm trying to build up a stock so I'm not tempted to drink it too early. That's the theory anyway.
Most of my kegs are near empty. Its like they've all planned to finish at the same time.
I'm sure I won't die of thirst though.

Sorry for the mixup. Always a problem when posting after midnight having had a few samplers.

Duvel yeast growing, but not lots of bubbles. Growing white layer on base of starter so I'm hoping it will be ready for the shock its going to get on Saturday.

I was wondering whether to add 1 kg suger later, rather than in the boiler, maybe when its about 75% attenuated?
What do you think?

ATB John

[floydmeddler]

I've worked with Duvel yeast a few times and can tell you it will be OK with the 1kg in with the boil. I've thrown more at it in the past and it lapped it up. It's a greedy beast! With regards to it being ready on Sat, I deliberately underpitched this one to stress the yeast - I only gave it a 1L (decanted) starter. It kicked in straight away but took around a week to REALLY et going. Once it starts, it clears up quick. Cracking yeast.

Here are my main brew notes on this beer:


15.01.11 - Efficiency - 80c. Gravity 1076 after sugar was added. Natural temp 21.1c. Temp set to 21c. Plan - raise to 22c tomorrow night and 1c per night until it reaches 28c.

23.01.11 - Gravity 1022. Temp now raised to 28c. Will hold it there for 3 more weeks.
09.02.11 - Gravity 1009. Added 450g of Clear Rowse honey. New gravity 1015
14.02.11 - Gravity 1012. Massive honey hit. Very sweet.
20.02.11 - Gravity 1005. Tasting good!
24.02.11 - Racked to Better Bottle with gelatine
02.04.11 - Bottled today. 200ml yeast starter. Carb - 2.4 vol

What temp control do you have?