Chimay Grande Reserve (18E) - MINI MASH Homebrew Ingredient Kit

Fresh ingredients, fun recipe, why don’t you include instructions in the kit?

This was the first time in brewing beers that I didn't hit the target OG. I emailed the company, and Aaron got back to me right away (much appreciated!), and I learned about an iodine test, which in future I'll use to make sure all the starches convert over. Nevertheless, the finished product, while lower in alcohol content than the target, tastes great and is very much like the original. This was my second clone kit purchase from Austin Homebrew - previously I made their La Chouffe Blonde Ale, and that turned out great as well. These two kits have come so much closer to the desired endpoint than other clone recipes I've used.

I brewed this for my wife and friend that both love Grande Reserve. We were a little impatient and tasted at 2,3,4 and then 6 months.Aging to 6 months finished the beer. I am ordering another kit now in preparation for the fall.

I brewed the all grain kit back in August. The more it ages the better it gets. The only thing I regret is that I used Fermentis Safbrew T-58 Dry Ale Yeast. Nothing wrong with T-58 but I get spicy, peppery, and dry taste. I was looking for the fruity flavor in this beer. I will definitely brew this again but I'll use liquid yeast WLP500 instead.

So after my 11/21 comment: This has turned out to be all that the aroma promised... despite the fact that I kegged it at 15 days; about a week too early. Even though I kegged it too early and have the ever so slight yeast bite because of it... it is one of the best clones I have ever brewed... this comes VERY close to Chimay. Either you like Chimay or you don't. If you like Chimay you will really like this recipe. It is VERY high in %. My wife and her friends absolutley love the taste. If you like Chimay try this recipe... just be VERY patient about letting it finish in the Secondary... probably wouldn't hurt to Rack into a 3rd just to clear up a little more. Will definatley do this one again and again... ENJOY!