How to Brew Belgian Beer

Belgian beer has a decidedly different taste than American beer and beer brewed in other parts of the world. Part of the difference relies on the ingredients, with Belgian beers using fruits, coriander, orange peels and spices such as cumin and ginger. Even the yeast and grains used during the brewing process are different. Home brewers often come across problems when brewing their own because the finished product doesn't taste quite right. Using the right ingredients and temperature is part of brewing your own Belgian beer.

Things You'll Need

• 5 pounds Belgian Pilsner
• 4 pounds Wheat
• Malt
• Brewing equipment
• Spices
• Fruits
• Bottles
• Caps

Instructions

1. Pick a recipe for Belgian beer. Belgian Style has several recipes on its website, including a beer that one the Best Ale award at the 1995 Old Bay Homebrew Contest. A similar version of that recipe also won honorable mentions and other awards at the same contest in different years.

2. Create a mixture using 5 lbs. of Belgian Pilsner and 4lbs. of wheat. Add other types of grains, depending on the size of your brewing equipment and your personal tastes. Wheat malt, honey malt and even rolled oats work well. When using malt, add only 1 lb. to your mixture and less than that if using rolled oats.

3. Follow the instructions on your brewing machine for making the beer. Typically you need to heat the brew at 145 degrees and keep it at that temperature for 15 to 20 minutes. Then you slowly raise the temperature back up and hold for an hour. Continue raising the temperature slightly until it reaches 160 degrees, which is when you add malt.

4. Add other ingredients toward the end of the brewing cycle, around 15 minutes before you're finished boiling the mixture. Add the ingredients commonly associated with Belgian beer, such as spices and fruits. When using fruits, add 1 to 2 cups of mashed fruit to the mixture; if using spices, add ¾ ounce or less. Add sliced orange peels or the peel from other fruits, but remove those later.

5. Bottle the beer as you would any other beer you brew at home once it has cooled using glass or plastic bottles and caps. Fruit flavor mellows and dissipates over time. If it has a strong flavor after brewing, give it a few weeks until it mellows.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with fruits and spices until you find a flavor combination that works for you.

References

• Belgian Style: Brewing Belgian Beer
• Real Beer: Brewing Belgian Beers