This week I dumped two beers, a Saison that's been sitting in my Keezer for the last 3 1/2 months and a Belgian Wit I made last month that I've been working to perfect. I'm up to version 4 of this recipe. I really tried to like the Saison - a lime and basil infused creation, but the beer lacked balance. The strong citrus flavor was just overwhelming. It was supposed to be citrus forward, but not to that degree. Funny thing I couldn't taste the basil, while others who tried the beer picked up on the basil right away. Regardless I just couldn't drink this beer as it just wasn't any good.
I'm a big fan of Belgian Wit beers. I've made this style of beer more than any other and have been working to improve on my recipe. Around this time last year I took 3rd place at the Motown Mash with "Hazy Doggy Dayz" (Ver 1.5). Version 2.0 was a little more malt forward and liked by my brewing club, but needed a little more wheat character. Version 3.0 had about 50% raw wheat and fermented in the low 60's. This batch went in the wrong direction quickly - too phenolic, some sulfur character and way over spiced - down the drain it went this week. It wasn’t up to the level of the standards I’m trying to set for my beer.
It took a long time to get to this point, so don’t worry if your drinking beer that’s got some flaws. Drink up and be thoughtful with each sip. Think about how you can make it better. Ask others to try your beer and ask for honest feedback.
