Can you home brew Belgian Ales in America?

Question

I am a fan of the rich ales made in Belgium like Chimay and others. Could I home brew this type of ale in America?

Answer 1

You can.
If you visit your local home brewing supplier, they'll have everything from the correct grains to the Belgian Candi sugar to the right hops. The key to Belgians is to used aged hops...it loses its bitterness but keeps the antiseptic quality for a more subtle flavor. Also, Belgian yeasts tend to be a little temperamental with regards to temperature and pressure...sometimes even an airlock can result in enough pressure to stop them from fermenting.

Again, talk to the home brew people.
Here's a really good place for any possible supply you might need:
http://morebeer.com

Answer 2

I am a huge fan myself of Maredsous, Chimay, Corsendonk, Leffe and other Belgian Trappist or "Monastery" style ales. I also have some experience homebrewing.

However I am sorry to say that replicating one of those masterpieces would be extremely difficult. There are secret ingredients in some of those brews like various forms of hard candies and herbal additives that are closely guarded.These ingredients are the reason that Belgian Ale tastes so unique.

If I could replicate them I would brew tons of it and walk around with an I.V. of beer on wheels. Good luck!

Answer 3

You may give it a try but I doubt if the result will come near the real stuff. Most important are the yeast and those are rather specific. With a lot of trying you will come to something drinkable but centuries of experience are not easy to bypass on this little scale.
However, good luck.

Answer 4

yes you can. Most are made from four main ingrediant, malted grain, water hops and yeast

Answer 5

Yes you can

Answer 6

yes, absolutely