Belgian Ale Yeast Strain

[IAW]

I was hoping to get suggestions for a belgian yeast strain to run some test batches with.
I wanted to try my pale ale and amber ale recipe and use a belgian strain instead, it would be great if it works with my wit also. I plain on making a couple of Saisons also but plan on using the DuPont yeast for that.

I know some hops conflict with Belgian yeasts so any help there would be much appreciated.

I love belgian beers but in my market they would have to be "soft sold" and can not be this over the top spice/phenol bomb.

I hope thru lower ferment temp. I could control a lot of the "Belgian-ness" but do not want to affect performance.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance and Cheers!

[grassrootsvt]

WLP 510 is what you seek.
I promise.

[IAW]

Thanks for the suggestion. Is it available year round for commercial breweries?

[Nugget]

Hi,

Can you give me more information about the hops/yeast conflict?

Thank you,
Nugget

[BigWilley]

IMHO Belgian most belgian strains dont go well with agressive American Style IPA hops, Columbus, cascade, centennial etc. This is individual and applies more to higher hopping rates. I like noble varieties in my Belgians. But what do I know.

[bubone]

You can also try the Belgian Ardenne Yeast from WYeast or the version from Whitelabs
I think it goes very well with US Hops.
If you ferment at low temp, it gonne work very well.

Kees

Brewery Emelisse

[nchomebrewer]

You can also try the Belgian Ardenne Yeast from WYeast or the version from Whitelabs
I think it goes very well with US Hops.
If you ferment at low temp, it gonne work very well.

Kees

Brewery Emelisse

I have to echo bubone on this suggestion. I have been brewing Belgian styled beers for the last year and a half and used this yeast 3522 exclusively. This strain will give a nice spicy flavor to a belgian beer and I have used it with Saaz, Amarillo, Mt Hood, Willamette, and Cascade hops in combination in different beers and this yeast goes well with all of them. I have received great feedback from beer drinkers and each time they have been really popular. I ferment mine low on the suggested range but a low mash always gets me a nice low FG as well with these beers. Give it a try I know you won't be disappointed.

Mike

[Sean W.]

I'm a bigger and bigger fan of WLP 530/Wyeast 3787 (Westmalle origin) every time I use it. It can crank out a great wit, as well as trappist styles, and could even make a good spiced saison if used correctly. I've heard of breweries fermenting it cooler, like Westmalle topping out at 68, or warmer, like Captain Lawrence topping out in the mid-80's.

[beerking1]

The above mentioned will work well, IMHO. I would recommend against WLP515, the De Konninck yeast. It is a great yeast, and produces a well attenuated beer with flavor profile similar to DK, but DK does not have much of that "Belgian" flavor character, and the yeast does not produce it.