Brewing a Belgian blonde sunday

[CRUNK]

I plan to build my water profile from distilled water,

11.5 lbs 2 row
.5 lbs crystal 15
1 Oz Williamette @ 60 minutes
Wlp001 California ale yeast
90 minute boil

Any suggestions you all might have would happily be incorporated.

 

[ACBEV]

Pilsner Malt!
0.5lb wheat malt
0.5lb Aromatic Malt or Munich Malt
Wyeast Belgian Ardennes 3522

One of the great and versatile strains for the production of classic Belgian style ales. This strain produces a beautiful balance of delicate fruit esters and subtle spicy notes, with neither one dominating. Unlike many other Belgian style strains, this strain is highly flocculent and results in bright beers.

 

[Head First]

+1 on the Pilsner malt
wheat for head retention would be good
light munich maybe. Something for a little body which the C--15 could be ok.
Cal 001 is almost too clean for a true Belgian. It would be just a clean light pale ale with it. But there are lots of choices of yeast. 3522 sounds good. I like the high flocculation for a blonde.

 

[CRUNK]

Great responses I will switch the yeast, and add .5 lb wheat malt.

 

[J A]

Yeah...your initial recipe is just a basic American Blonde Ale. Nothing Belgian about it. Definitely use Pilsner and a Belgian strain.
ACBEV's recipe is spot on...just brew that and maybe throw in some blonde candi sugar at the end of boil or 2-3 days into primary.

 

[emsroth]

Split your fermentation if you want. That's a fun, simple way to see what 2 different styles of yeast can do.