{"product_id":"recipe-kit-chimay-blue","title":"Recipe Kit Chimay Blue","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is our take on Chimay Blue, one of Belgium's most celebrated Trappist ales. It brews a rich, dark Belgian strong ale (dubbel) with a complex fruity, peppery character, a deep amber copper colour and a warming 5.8 to 6% ABV. A kit for brewers who want a beer with real depth and genuine Belgian character.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat it is like to brew\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBelgian strong ales reward patience and a steady fermentation. The pale malt extract, crushed roasted grains and a touch of brewing honey build a layered malt base, while the Belgian ale yeast does the heavy lifting on flavour, throwing the spicy, fruity esters the style is known for. Ferment on the cooler side, 15 to 20 C, for a clean and complex result.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy this kit works\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eAuthentic Belgian dubbel character from a true Belgian ale yeast\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ePale malt extract, roasted grains and brewing honey for layered malt depth\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eOptional high-strength path to a Chimay-like 9% ale\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eDeep amber copper colour with a creamy off-white head\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhen it makes sense\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA good choice when you want to move beyond easy-drinking ales into something with complexity and strength. It suits cooler-month brewing and rewards a few weeks of conditioning. Comfortable for an improving beginner and ideal for an intermediate brewer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eStyle\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003eBelgian strong ale (dubbel)\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eABV\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e5.8 to 6% (standard 18L), about 9% optional high-strength\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eIBU\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e35\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eColour (EBC)\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e60 to 70\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eOriginal gravity\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e1.050 to 1.052\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eFinal gravity\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e1.010 to 1.012\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eFermentation temp\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e15 to 20 C (Belgian ale yeast)\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eBatch volume\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e18 litres (15 litres for high-strength)\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eReady to drink\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003eAbout 4 to 6 weeks\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat's in the box\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003ePale malt extract (3.2kg, the fermentable base for body and strength)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eCrushed roasted grains (for colour and malt depth)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eGerman and English hop blend (for balancing earthy, spicy bitterness)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eBelgian ale yeast (ferments the sugars and drives the fruity, peppery character)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eStep-by-step brewing instructions\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYou will also need:\u003c\/strong\u003e 220g of honey (not included in the kit). It is an important addition, bringing a dry, warming complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOptional: 500g soft brown sugar (not included) for the high-strength variant.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFlavour profile\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAppearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Amber copper with a creamy off-white head\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Earthy, spicy, herbal and floral\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFlavour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich and fruity with peppery yeast spice and warming malt depth\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMouthfeel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Creamy, medium to full bodied\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry and warming\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHamish's verdict\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFerment this one cool and slow. The temptation is to let a strong ale run hot, but holding 15 to 18 C keeps the esters elegant rather than solventy. Give it 4 to 6 weeks in the bottle and the honey and roasted malt round into something genuinely special.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by the AHB Brewing Team, June 2026. Last updated June 2026.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Australian Home Brewing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41994355900493,"sku":"35014","price":74.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0635\/8306\/0045\/files\/35014.jpg?v=1754041120","url":"https:\/\/www.australianhomebrewing.com.au\/products\/recipe-kit-chimay-blue","provider":"Australian Home Brewing","version":"1.0","type":"link"}