Session Strength Belgian Ale?

[thatguy314]

I was thinking of a Saison, but I really don't want to deal with the annoyance that is the Saison yeast.

There's nothing annoying about 3711.

3711 is one of the hardiest and easiest strains I've ever used. I brew quite a few beers with it.

That said, it doesn't have the nice rustic character that 3724 has. Or the giant pain in the ass.

I find 3711 to have a lot more bubblegum and a lot less peppery character than 3724. It also doesn't convey the same amount of acidity. That said, compensating for much of that is just some recipe adjustment (spicy finishing hops / a little peppercorn, and a little bit of acidulated malt ).

[HedgehogBC]

I was thinking of a Saison, but I really don't want to deal with the annoyance that is the Saison yeast.

There's nothing annoying about 3711.

If there is nothing annoying about Saison yeast, why is it every summer every brewing message board is flooded with posts saying "My saison won't finish!" or "My saison yeast crapped out on me. How do I start it back up?"

[edisonst]

3724 is thye annoying saison yeast, 3711 is the new year round french saison yeast from brasserie theriez(sp). 3711 is one of the most user friendly yeasts ive ever used. Right up thre with wyeast 1968. Ferments rapidly with little foam and leaves a very mild saison ester profile. It also clears really quick. I brewed several table strength saisons this summer that I was drinking 3-4 weeks after brew day. You cant beat that. 3724 on the other hand is a pain in the fucking ass. Although delicious.

[mr x]

3711 is too easy to use, and it ferments well in the mid to high 60's as well as into the 70's. And for the DuPont strain lovers, do not forget that you can also blend these yeasts.

At any rate 3711 does not behave like 3724. In a good way.

[pbts]

So, is there such a thing as a session strength Belgian ale? I'm looking for something like a Tripel, but in the neighborhood of 4-5% ABV so I can actually have a couple as a lawnmower beer.

I was thinking of a Saison, but I really don't want to deal with the annoyance that is the Saison yeast. Do you think I could just use a Belgian yeast strain on a Saison recipe?

Thanks in advance.

I made a belgian dark strong ale and then partigyle'd a session strength dubbel-like ale. I love it! Came out to about 4%, and used a normal belgian yeast.

[HedgehogBC]

Kick Ass.

Thanks for the insight on the Saison yeasts! Having not done a lot of research on the saison yeasts, it's good to know that they are not all major pains in the ass.

Cheers!