Description:

Grouse Belgian Dark Strong is a bold, all-grain gluten-free dark strong ale designed to showcase depth, balance, and classic Belgian character without relying on traditional barley malts. Built on a complex grist of millet and buckwheat malts—ranging from pale and Vienna to roasted and specialty varieties—this recipe delivers layered notes of dark fruit, toast, caramel, and gentle roast. Saaz and Savinjski Golding hops provide restrained bitterness and delicate herbal spice, while gluten-free Belgian yeast drives expressive fermentation with subtle esters and warming complexity. Originally featured in the March 2023 Grouse Malt House Collaboration Series, this recipe proves that carefully crafted gluten-free brewing can produce rich, authentic Belgian-style ales that rival their traditional counterparts in flavor, body, and drinkability.

Ingredients:

• Grain Bill ---------------------------------------
• Pale Millet Malt 11.25 lb (45%)
• Vienna Millet Malt 5.00 lb (20%)
• Pale Buckwheat Malt 3.75 lb (15%)
• Griffin Millet Malt 2.50 lb (10%)
• Roasted Cara Millet Malt 1.25 lb (5%)
• Dutch Roasted Millet Malt 1.25 lb (5%)
• Hop Bill Summary ---------------------------------------
• 2.0 oz Saaz, Czech (61%)
• 1.25 oz Savinjski Golding (38%)
• Other Ingredients ---------------------------------------
• Whirlfloc or Irish moss
• Lallemand Abbaye Belgian Yeast
• Yeast nutrients

Additional Instructions

Primary Ferment: Pitch at 64F and let rise to 68/70F 5-7 days
Secondary Ferment: 5 - 7 days

Beer Profile

Original Gravity: 1.089
Final Gravity: 1.020
Alcohol by Vol: 9.1%
Color SRM: 17.8
Bitterness IBU: 21.5
Recipe Type: all-grain
Yield: 5.0 Gallons

Procedure:

Source: Posted with permission by Grouse Malt House