2014 Saison de Noel

MALT
10 lbs Castle Belgian Pilsner malt
0.5 lbs Castle Belgian Aromatic malt
0.25 lbs Carafa II
0.25 lbs CaraAroma

HOPS
1 oz US Magnum
1 lb Corn Sugar
1 lb D90 Candi Syrup

YEAST
Wyeast #3711 French Saison

OG 1.067
FG 1.003
8.4% ABV

The recipe for this great holiday ale comes from Northern Brewer:
"Deceptively dark and beguilingly complex, this holiday specialty is brewed in the tradition of Belgian farmhouse ales. Unlike most saisons, intended to refresh and sustain farmers doing manual labor, this one is engineered to complement rich holiday fare and sustain you through long winter nights. A generous malt bill with highlights of butter toffee, chocolate, dark fruit, and bread tangles with the earthy, spicy funk of Wyeast’s French Saison strain and a single addition of bittering hops to strike an evolving balance. The porter-like color tricks your palate into expecting burnt, roasty notes and perhaps even a full body, but the reality that hits your mouth is a lean, attenuated beer with a snappy, estery, slightly tart edge and a warming, peppery finish."

No spices here - all the complexity comes from malt, yeast, and brewing technique!