Keys to Brewing Belgian Blonde Ale:
As Belgian strong beers go, Belgian blonde ale is a fairly low-key beer, with subtle spicy, earthy, and fruity notes. To keep the flavors restrained it is important to have good fermentation temperature control. The best results come from starting at a lower temperature, 64° F (18° C), and then letting the temperature rise slowly through the course of fermentation. It is important to let the temperature increase (or to increase it through heating) slowly throughout fermentation to ensure good attenuation and a dry-enough finish. If you are an extract brewer and are having difficulty getting sufficient attenuation, replace some of the Pilsener or wheat extract with sugar. All-grain brewers can increase the fermentability of the wort by lowering the mash temperature.
Since this beer doesn’t have a lot of specialty malts to hide behind, it is important to use good-quality Pilsener malt extract. If you’re an all-grain brewer, try to use Belgian Pilsener malt or at the very least use continental Pilsener malt. While it may seem like it isn’t worth the trouble, for a beer like this, the source of the malt can make a big difference.
RECIPE: LEFTY BLOND
OG: 1.065 (15.8 °P)
FG: 1.012 (3.0 °P)
ADF: 81%
IBU: 25
Color: 5 SRM (9 EBC)
Alcohol: 7.0% ABV (5.5% ABW)
Boil: 60 minutes
Pre-Boil Volume: 7 gallons (26.5L)
Pre-Boil Gravity: 1.055 (13.6 °P)
Extract / Weight / Percent
Pilsener LME (2.3 °L) / 7.75 lbs. (3.51kg) / 72.1
Cane Sugar (0 °L) / 1.5 lbs. (0.68kg) / 14.0
Wheat LME (4 °L) / 1.0 lb. (0.45kg) / 9.3
Steeping Grains
Aromatic (20 °L) / 0.5 lb. (227g) / 4.7
Hops / Weight / IBU
Hallertau 4% AA, 60 min. / 1.6 oz. (45g) / 24.5
Yeast
White Labs WLP500 Trappist Ale, Wyeast 1214 Belgian Ale, or Fermentis Safbrew T-58”
Fermentation and Conditioning
Use 12 grams of properly rehydrated dry yeast, 2.5 liquid yeast packages, or make an appropriate starter. Pitch yeast at 64° F (18° C), and let the temperature rise slowly to 68° F (20° C) over the course of 1 week. When finished, carbonate the beer to approximately 3 to 4 volumes and allow to lager for 1 month at 45 to 50° F (7 to 10° C)
All-Grain Option
Replace the Pilsener extract with 11 lbs. (5kg) continental Pilsener malt. Replace the wheat extract with 0.5 lb. (227g) wheat malt. Mash at 150° F (66° C). Increase the pre-boil volume as needed to allow a 90-minute boil, which will help reduce DMS in the beer.