10 replies to this topic

[Spoon]

I am not the biggest Belgian beer fan. I typically like Ales and the American hop profile, but any traditional ales style will be enjoyed. I have tried several Belgian ales and I do not like the sourness/tartness that some have. I have read that the Saison is not as sour/tart as some of the Belgian styles are.Are there any recipes that anyone may suggest that might get me to begin to enjoy this style? I guess what I am asking is what yeast strain would better suit me.Thanks

[Jimmy James]

I think most Saisons finish pretty dry and acidic, or at least the ones I've had. So basically my experience is the opposite of what you heard. Based on your likes/dislikes I'd steer you more towards dubbels if you like dark and tripels if you like blond as far as straight up Belgians go. Belgian IPAs or American IPAs fermented with Belgian yeast can also be good and may even be more to your liking. Are there any Belgian or Belgian styled commercial ales you've had and liked? That would be a starting point.

[strangebrewer]

There are more non-sour than there are sour styles of belgian beers. The primary sour beers are going to be Lambic's and Flanders/Oud Bruin style beers. There are Belgian Bolnds, dubbels, tripels, quads, browns, stouts.... I would definitely not rule out everything except for Saisons! While I love the truly sour beers a good Belgian quad can be equally as sublime.However if you want to make a Saison then Wyeast 3711 is my go-to Saison yeast.

[ChicagoWaterGuy]

I am not the biggest Belgian beer fan. I typically like Ales and the American hop profile, but any traditional ales style will be enjoyed. I have tried several Belgian ales and I do not like the sourness/tartness that some have. I have read that the Saison is not as sour/tart as some of the Belgian styles are.Are there any recipes that anyone may suggest that might get me to begin to enjoy this style? I guess what I am asking is what yeast strain would better suit me.Thanks

A hoppy triple is a nice American/Belgian crossover. WLP 570 may be nice, I haven't gotten banana from it. Or wlp 550 would be good. Achouffe makes a nice hoppy triple.

[MtnBrewer]

I think most Saisons finish pretty dry and acidic, or at least the ones I've had. So basically my experience is the opposite of what you heard. Based on your likes/dislikes I'd steer you more towards dubbels if you like dark and tripels if you like blond as far as straight up Belgians go. Belgian IPAs or American IPAs fermented with Belgian yeast can also be good and may even be more to your liking. Are there any Belgian or Belgian styled commercial ales you've had and liked? That would be a starting point.

I would second this. Saisons often do have an acidic finish. However most other Belgian styles do not (lambics and other sour beers excluded of course).

[siouxbrewer]

Try the WLP510 Bastogne, my favorite Belgian Yeast and a current platinum strain, it can do it all and the flavor profile is not aggressive.

[Spoon]

MAybe I am just not remembering what I disliked about the Belgians. I have had only a few I liked and more I didn't care for.Chimay Blue is one I did like. I like the Ommegang Three Philosophers too.

[MtnBrewer]

MAybe I am just not remembering what I disliked about the Belgians. I have had only a few I liked and more I didn't care for.Chimay Blue is one I did like. I like the Ommegang Three Philosophers too.

Three Phils is definitely sour.

[Spoon]

Hmm I guess I don't know what I like or dislike then. It has been probably 4-5 years since I have had one to be honest. They do not sell them here either, well @ the class VI they do. I am going to get a buddy to get me a few then to see again whjat I don't like about them. I really want to like them though.Thanks guys.

[strangebrewer]

To be fair I wouldn't say 3 philosophers is sour sour. It's got a hint of tart but it's more sweet than sour IMO. The kriek added to it balances out what would be a sweet quad.I love 3 philosophers. I've been collecting multiple bottles from each year so I can do a vertical some day. Unfortunately one day I sent someone down to the wine cellar to get a bottle and they brought up the wrong one. They opened it before I could say a word so I'm missing 2008

[MtnBrewer]

I agree, it's not sour like a lambic or flanders. I also agree it's a great beer. It's in the conversation for my favorite of all time for sure.