The Devil’s Acquaintance

BREWING PROCESS

Multi-step mash method:
The mashing and fermentation schedule of this beer is more complex than most beers. If you cannot follow the schedule exactly, relax, don’t worry, have a homebrew! I’ll try to offer some alternatives to simplify the process.
Mash-in to reach a beginning mash temperature of 55'C (protein rest) & hold for 20 minutes. Ramp or raise the temperature of the mash to 63.3'C (saccharification rest) and hold for 60 minutes. Finally, ramp or raise the temperature to 75.6'C (mash-out) and hold for 15 minutes. Lauter and sparge to collect enough pre-boil volume to allow for a 90 minute boil. Proceed with the 90 minute boil, adding the Simplicity candi syrup in the last 15 minutes of the boil.

A simpler mash method:
Mash at 63.3'C for 90 minutes. This will allow for a fermentable wort that will still make a great Belgian golden strong. However, the head retention and clarity will not be quite what it would be with a multi-rest mash. Lauter and sparge to collect enough pre-boil volume to allow for a 90 minute boil. Proceed with the 90 minute boil, adding the Simplicity candi syrup in the last 15 minutes of the boil.
Chill to 17.8'C, pitch yeast, and allow to raise to 27.8'C over the course of 5 days. If unable to raise this high, raise as high as possible.
Ferment at 27.8'C for 2 weeks. Then cold crash and lager at 0'C for 3 weeks before bottling in Belgian bottles or kegging.
As I said, this recipe calls for a lot of advanced techniques. If you are unable to follow them exactly, keep calm and brew on! You will still be able to make a fabulous beer by following standard brewing procedures.

Extract Version: Replace 5 kg of the the pilsner malt with 3 kg of light dry malt extract. Steep the remaining 0.5 kg of Belgian pilsner malt at 65.5-68.3'C for 30 minutes using a muslin grain bag. Begin with enough volume to allow for a 90 minute boil. Allow the rinsed grain bag to drain for 15 to 20 minutes. Turn off the flame and dissolve the extract thoroughly. Turn the flame back on, bring to a boil and proceed as normal with the 90 minute boil, following the hop schedule and adding the Simplicity candi syrup in the last 15 minutes of the boil. Chill to 17.8'C and follow fermentation schedule as closely as possible.