Leffe Radieuse With M47 and Brettanomyces.

Beers influenced with Brettanomyces, whether that is a mixed culture for a saison, or aged in secondary. To explore the different flavours etc. of such a versatile organism.

So, on that note, I have brewed wha is essentially a clone of one of my favourite belgian beers. Leffe Radieuse. Its spicy, phenolic, with lovely notes of  caramel, dates and raisins.

The beer has then been aged with Brettanomyces Bruxellensis. (WLP650) for XX months.
SO, Here Goes......

Double Trubbel

Batch Size: 21 Litres 

Estimated OG: 1.068

IBU: 18.9

EBC: 42.4EBC

Efficiency: 74%

Boil Time: 90 Minutes

GRAIN:

     5.2kg Pilsner

     0.4kg Munich

     0.2kg Caramunich II

     0.2kg Aurora (Melaniodin)

     0.2kg Special B

     0.1kg Acid Malt

     0.45kg D180 Candi Syrup

HOPS: 

     12g Pacific Jade @90

     25g Crystal @5

YEAST:
     Mangrove Jacks - Belgian Abbey M47 x3 Packs(Re-hydrated)

Mash Schedule: Single Infusion 

Mash 68 Deg C - 20.5 Litres
Mash out 76 Deg C
Sparge - 11.5 Litres @ 76 Deg C

Brewing Notes:

      21 May 2016 -  OG 1.068 hit. Additional 2-300ml into FV. Activity within 24 hours.

     07 June 2016 - Rack to carboy for extended ageing, 15 litres with WLP650 (1x vial).

     26 June 2016 - Bottled 5 Litres into 330ml bottles - 1 carb drop per bottle.

     

 Plain Version FG: 1.015

     Appearance: Blood red, when held to the light. nice and clear, after some extended ageing in a secondary carboy. Off white head, which lingers nicely in the glass.

     Aroma: Aroma of Dried fruit and spicy Belgian phenolics. some sweet malt, and raisiny presence. Remarkably similar to the real Leffe Radieuse.

     Flavour: Sweet malt, and Belgian candy come to the fore, with a beautiful back up of Belgian phenols and spices. again similar to Radieuse. At a young age, this should age well, as a touch of booze is present, but similar to the original. Bitterness could be higher.

     Mouthfeel: thick and creamy, good sweetness, not too over powering.

     Overall: Fantastic Beer - Next time the bitterness will be increased slightly (Not by too much), but as a clone recipe, this is really quite close. Especially when you take into account the Dry Yeast factor. 

Definite re-brew on the card, but split in half next time (I need more of this)

WLP650 version notes to follow.....