I have come up with this as my first all extract brew, I am trying for an Abbey style strong ale similar in colour and taste to Chimay blue. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I can not source any Special B malt as suggested by Denny.
** Ingredients ** 4KG (8.8 pounds) LDME 1KG (2.2 pounds) white sugar 250g (1/2 pound) crystal maltWyeast WLP 500 (in 1 litre starter)
25gm (1 oz) northern brewer pellets 25gm (1 oz) saaz pellets** Method ** Lightly caramelize the white sugar for colour and flavour Steep crystal malt in 1 litre of water for 15 minutes and add liquid to fermenter Boil LDME, caramelized sugar and 4 litres water for 30 minutes Add northern brewer hops, boil 15 minutes Add half saaz hops, boil 15 minutes Add remaining saaz hops at flameout
Cool and pitch yeast.