Sat May 30, 2009 7:54 am
I'm brewing a batch of Belgian Pale ale today with wyeast's Canadian/Belgian strain, so far I've been really impressed with this yeast. It gives a good amount of belgian fruity/spicy notes without being over the top banana or fruit. Overall, nice and clean with subtle "belgian" characteristics. I actually like it better than WLP530 abbey. This will be my 4th of 5 beers with this strain before I stop repitching. So far I've done a belgian red, belgian pale(same recipe as today, turned out so well I needed to brew again for the summer), and a trippel. I also plan on doing a strong-dark that is dosed with 2 bottles of New Glarus Raspberry Tart, ala three philosophers. On all of these beers I've fermented at 68*F and ramped up to 75+*F to dry the beers out (after 50% or so attenuation) and have also done a step sach. rest at 148 up to 155 then to 168 mashout, with 30 min rests at the conversion temps.
As far as Trois Pistoles, I can agree that this beer is f-ing great, it has been one of my favorites for quite awhile, as have been all of unibroue's dark-strong line up. (find their 2005 edition, amazing). I have talked to a distributor from Michigan about this beer and he said the main 'secret' spice is star anise, which I can taste in the background. I also think they use some chocolate malt or highly kilned malts unlike many belgian brewers (albeit they're in canada) who seem to get a lot of their color from judicious doses of medium caramunich or similar grains, or cooked sugars (dark candi sugar).
I'm stumped as far as a clone recipe, but I think if you started with a 1.075 or so wort with a pilsner or belgian pale malt base, some caramunich, wheat, and a bit of pale chocolate to get it to the dark side you'd be close. And of course, the spicing would be at your discression, maybe one or two (tops) star anise pods at flameout? Its subtle, thats all I know. The wyeast Can/Bel strain is worth seeking out, call around to some shops and see if they have any left. I picked it up mid-late april at Northern Brewer, so give them a ring if they have any floating around. They might give it to you if its "expired". Just do a starter and you'll be fine, or brew a smaller beer to step it up and repitch.
Finally, I know Austin Homebrew Supply used to have a clone recipe for this beer, give them a ring and chat a bit, I'm sure they'd share some info.
