Thoughts on this biere de garde recipe?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by ghostinthemachine, May 26, 2016.

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  1. ghostinthemachine

    ghostinthemachine Initiate (0) Aug 14, 2015 Louisiana

    Yes. Dry but cleaner than I expected.
     
    #21 ghostinthemachine, May 26, 2016
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  2. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I would expect that from an ester perspective.

    I don't know how over-pitching affects phenol production but your experience seems to indicate that for 3711 over-pitching results in suppressed phenols?

    Cheers!
     
    #22 JackHorzempa, May 26, 2016
  3. ghostinthemachine

    ghostinthemachine Initiate (0) Aug 14, 2015 Louisiana

    Yes. I've done this a few times. I'll make a 2 liter starter for a 4 gallon beer and end up with just a hint of saison/belgian character.
     
    #23 ghostinthemachine, May 27, 2016
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  4. ghostinthemachine

    ghostinthemachine Initiate (0) Aug 14, 2015 Louisiana


    I thought I'd get back with everybody on my biere de garde using 3711 yeast. It scored a 40.5 in a comp and took bronze. One judge said it didn't taste clean enough for a lagered beer. He scored it a 38. The other said he wouldn't change a thing, he scored it a 43. It was young when it was judged. I have most of the bottles stashed away for the winter.

    There is a bit of belgian character but it is subdued. 3711 chewed it from 1.060 to 1.009, a lot higher than 3711 normally finishes for me. It doesn't finish sweet though. I'm going to enter this as a dark saison in a comp later this year.

    Oh, I ended up using raw cane sugar at the end of the boil and primed with molasses.
     
    #24 ghostinthemachine, Aug 10, 2016
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2016
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  5. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Nice scores. I love "wouldn't change a thing" comments. Uh, shouldn't that be a 50?
     
    #25 VikeMan, Aug 10, 2016
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  6. ghostinthemachine

    ghostinthemachine Initiate (0) Aug 14, 2015 Louisiana

    That's what I thought. He was a nationally certified judge if I remember right. The 38 guy was a homebrewer.
     
    #26 ghostinthemachine, Aug 10, 2016
  7. telejunkie

    telejunkie Savant (1,107) Sep 14, 2007 Vermont

    Missed the earlier discussions here, but 3711 is listed on Wyeast's website as appropriate for the BdG style…can't remember now which I like more, but Wyeast put out a couple strains 3725 & 3726…if they ever come back around, I highly recommend them, especially 3726 iirc.
    Congrats on the bronze!

    PS still waiting for White Labs release on their paper on genetic sequencing. Iirc, Chris White talked about how the higher phenolic production is a trait of a distinct line of brewing yeast, pretty far removed from most other yeast strains we brewers typically use.
     
    #27 telejunkie, Aug 10, 2016
  8. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Dave, I have personally not brewed with Wyeast 3725 but based upon the below description it certainly sounds like an optimum choice to brew a Biere de Garde style beer.

    “Private Collection - Bier de Garde Wyeast 3725-PC Activator: Low to moderate ester production with subtle spiciness. Malty and full on the palate with initial sweetness. Finishes dry and slightly tart. Ferments well with no sluggishness.”

    I was under the impression that 3726 was intended to be available this summer (from a presentation at this year’s NHC) but that was not the case; my LHBS was not able to get it. I was hoping to brew a Saison this summer using 3726 but I used WLP585 (Saison III) instead.

    The Private Collection yeast strains from Wyeast are nice but then you need to time your brewing accordingly.

    Cheers!
     
    #28 JackHorzempa, Aug 10, 2016
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