Brewferm, Diablo

[Bowl sprayer]

Great Belgian beer.
Take your time with it. Brewed as per the kit instructions. In the primary for about 2+ weeks, racked off for 2 weeks bottled 3rd September with 1 teaspoon of brewing sugar per bottle. Just cracked the first one and the result is stunning!
This is a really good example of Belgian beer at its best. Lots of well rounded deep malty complex flavours, just the right amount of hops (not overpowering), good body and head retention. I have got the carbonation spot on. I didn't take gravities so no idea what the % is but one pint has just nearly taken my head off!
It is difficult to know how this will get better over time. I agree with the comparisons with Leffe style beers. This is on the lighter side.
Highly recommend. Take your time and your efforts will be rewarded.
I've bottled a Gallia, Grand Cru and Abdij and I have the Triple in the primary at the moment.
Happy days!

 

[Lesinge]

I didn't keep mine for very long after I opened the first..it is such a good beer. If I had the cash I would do one a month, leave for six months before having the first bottle and always have six month old cracking Belgium beer on hand...ah the dreams!

 

[Fore]

Oops. Following routines and I ended up brewing this to 23 litres instead of 18 (2 cans) . Hope it'll be at least half decent.

 

[RaffCPH]

This was Brew #4 for me, I did this as per instruction buff and added 550 g of belgian candi sugar..the gist I got was to add 5 to 10 % more if using that. So I hit the targets and this came out at 8.5%. Been in the bottle since 24/9, my wee lads birthday today so as good as an excuse as any to try this one a month early at least.

First impressions, not a lot of aroma, it is a clear ruby/ dark copper red. Lots of berries and other fruits, quite neutral from the yeast and no homebrewy/young beer twang. Very nice alco warmth in the background. One thing that stands out for me here is the body/mouthfeel. Though quite young there is almost a creaminess to this one, it's outstanding. I was extra lazy with this one and used 33cl bottles and 1 coopers carbo drop per bottle, that seemed to have worked well.

Obviously still early days but if it was not for my brothers birthday in a month which it is brewed for, I'd get tucked in now. If I was to do this again I would do x2. Only gripe so far is I hope the sediment compacts a bit more.

 

[Fore]

Oops. Following routines and I ended up brewing this to 23 litres instead of 18 (2 cans) . Hope it'll be at least half decent.

This is my 4th brew since rejoining the ranks. I brewed it a little long by accident, probably 21 litres for 2 cans. It cleared really well after 4 weeks in the fermenters (2 weeks in secondary); came out at 6.2% (I think the target is 8%). So after going in the cornie and giving it a couple of days to carb up, I have to say it's already tremendous. There is no hint of that homebrew twang, something very noticable in the early stages of every beer I have ever brewed. I can't imagine there are many beers that taste this good after 2 days in the keg. Being brewed long, it is not quite as intended, but still a great beer in it's own right. Friends like this one and wouldn't know any different if I didn't say I brewed it wrong. I have a feeling that the Brewferm 9l Belgian kits are going to become my premier option.

 

[Marcus0466]

Just added this to my Xmas list so will be brewing this in Jan ready for summer, does that sound about right for this?

 

[DirtyCaner]

Should be on good form then :thumb:

 

[Sandimas]

I've just made Diablo and am sorry to say that I'm distinctly underwhelmed at this stage, it's still very young so I'm hoping it comes good, but after a month in the bottle it tastes like a cheap lager kit :shock: To put it into context, this is brew no.42 for me so I kinda know what I'm doing, I brewed to the instructions and volume. It was incredibly clear when I bottled, clearer than any brew I've done so far.

Just wondering if I'm being too hasty? I've got some other brews in bottles that have aged 6 months or more, so I know about maturation, but those didn't taste half as bad as this in the early stages.

 

[PremierCru]

Mine didn't taste nice until about 4 months. My LHBS advised leaving 6 months which I think is good advice with this kit.

 

[Sandimas]

Thanks, that's re-assuring. I'll leave it 'till Easter then report back.

 

[Bucky]

Can anyone tell what would be the best/safe temps to pitch the re-hydrated yeast into the wort?

 

[mattyhall22]

Can anyone tell what would be the best/safe temps to pitch the re-hydrated yeast into the wort?

Ive not done this one, however generally for yeast about 18 to 20C unless its a lager yeast who like it cooler :)

The search function at the top of the page is really good for looking stuff up, there is a wealth of knowledge on here already :)

 

[Bucky]

OMG! So the 25deg I pitched the yeast at was way too high, have I damaged the yeast/batch?

New to all this home brew stuff, like to dive in head first!

 

[Robbo100]

25 deg will be fine if it was brought down to 18-20 deg over the next few hours.

 

[mattyhall22]

OMG! So the 25deg I pitched the yeast at was way too high, have I damaged the yeast/batch?

New to all this home brew stuff, like to dive in head first!

Relax, it will fine :thumb:

 

[MarkS]

Just opened a "tester" bottle to ensure that the priming is going ok..................well that's my excuse


Am absolutely amazed at how good this is already


As good as many a bought bottle of strong Flemish beer

Very rich, the alcohol is obviously very present but not overpowering


Will be doing another batch of this!!!!!!!!!

 

[munkian]

wotcha

When you guys have brewed :twisted: do you just do it in a normal sized FV i.e 40 pint or would it fit in one of the smaller FVs ?

Only asking as I've been given this kit for Chrimbo and recently acquired 2 'smaller' FVs

 

[gitsurfer]

wotcha

When you guys have brewed :twisted: do you just do it in a normal sized FV i.e 40 pint or would it fit in one of the smaller FVs ?

Only asking as I've been given this kit for Chrimbo and recently acquired 2 'smaller' FVs

I've not done this kit but recently did the 12 litre Framboos that Brewferm make. Used a 15 litre FV for that one and there was plenty of space for the krausen. I don't think it matters if you use something bigger but I find a smaller FV easier to handle when it comes to racking so I use one when I can.

 

[munkian]

wotcha

When you guys have brewed :twisted: do you just do it in a normal sized FV i.e 40 pint or would it fit in one of the smaller FVs ?

Only asking as I've been given this kit for Chrimbo and recently acquired 2 'smaller' FVs

I've not done this kit but recently did the 12 litre Framboos that Brewferm make. Used a 15 litre FV for that one and there was plenty of space for the krausen. I don't think it matters if you use something bigger but I find a smaller FV easier to handle when it comes to racking so I use one when I can.

Thanks :thumb:

I guess it only matters if you use a pressure barrel for a short brew i.e with keeping it carbonated


I'll do it in a full sized FV and bottle it then

 

[LeithR]

I'm going to have a go at the Diablo, can I ask for suggestions as to what is a good yeast to use on this please?