Chamomile Blonde Belgian Ale

My next brew will be Chamomile Blonde, from Brooklyn Brew Shop:



Brooklyn Brew Shop describes this beer as "a carefree sunshine sipper" with a "unique Belgian base," which sounds just right to me, considering that spring is finally arriving here in northern Montana. It is part of a trio of "floral" Belgian Blonde ales offered by Brooklyn Brew Shop as a limited run, including "Rose-Cheeked and Blonde" (which I have brewed) and "Lavender Blonde" (which I will brew later this spring or summer).

Brooklyn Brew Shop advertises this beer as light both in colour and in IBUs; the grain bill is largely based on Belgian Pilsner and - thanks to the addition of some Belgian Candi Sugar - it weighs in at 6.5% ABV.

The recipe for Chamomile Blonde (as well as the other two floral Belgian Blondes) is also found in Brooklyn Brew Shop's book, Make Some Beer, which I highly recommend. There are one or two minor differences between the recipe in the book and the pre-packaged mix that is sold online; however, since my closest LHBS is over 200 miles away, I went with the pre-packaged mix. Here is a link to some more information about the mix:

https://brooklynbrewshop.com/c...mix-chamomile-blonde

The recipe in the book uses Saaz hops, but the pre-packaged mix uses US Golding hops, a descendant of East Kent Goldings; you can read more about US Golding hops here:

http://www.hopslist.com/hops/aroma-hops/golding-us/

http://beerlegends.com/goldings-us-hops

The recipe in the book uses SafAle S-33 yeast, while the pre-packaged mix includes the usual fast-acting, clean-fermenting yeast that comes with its mixes. When I wrote to Brooklyn Brew Shop inquiring as to which yeast would be preferred, the reply was that both yeasts would work very well, with a slight edge given to the S-33 as it would provide a slightly more Belgian character. Through past experience, I do have full confidence in their yeast for Belgian ales; however, since I was placing an order anyway, I added a package of S-33 to my order last Friday from Texas Brewing Inc (www.txbrewing.com), and it will be arriving today.

The star of this beer, of course, will be the infusion of chamomile flowers, which are included with the mix or - if you are brewing the recipe from the book - available widely online; you can even use your own chamomile flowers, if you have access to them. Brooklyn Brew Shop advises to strain the wort through the dried flowers once it has cooled down after the boil and you are transferring it to your fermenter; following this procedure, rather than adding them to the boil, will preclude any astringency or tannic bitterness that could result from adding them to the boil.

I plan to brew this beer as soon as possible - hopefully before the weekend - and will follow the instructions as outlined here:

https://brooklynbrewshop.com/p...ons-chamomile-blonde

In the meantime, here is the label that I put together for this beer:



More as it happens, etc. &c....

Ron

is this some sort o fbud light biebs hasn't heard of yet??

Oh - no, no, no, no no ~~~

This is the gooooood stuff!

Kinda reminds me of Bitburger brau w/o the chaomille.A fine light pilsner + heaven forbid ;NOT akin to bud light.