Ursa Major : Golden Belgian - 20L

Brew Ursa Major: the Belgian Strong Ale recipe

Ursa Major is a tribute to the tradition of strong Belgian beers, imagined by Fabrice, passionate brewer at Brasserie de l'Hupblon in the Cévennes. Born in Belgium at the heart of Trappist culture and enriched by an international brewing background, Fabrice delivers here a masterful interpretation of the Belgian Golden Strong Ale, strong as a bear (8% ABV) yet accessible to homebrewers.

Its golden colour with copper highlights (10 EBC) stands out thanks to remarkable aromatic complexity. The base of Pilsen malt enriched with wheat malt, Carabelge and Carahell provides a subtle malt backbone and excellent foam retention. The 90‑minute boil combines the soft bitterness of Hersbrucker hops with the spicy and floral notes of Styrian Golding, enhanced by coriander seeds and bitter orange peel.

White candi sugar ensures optimal fermentability without weighing down the body. Fermented with Lallemand Abbaye yeast at 20 °C, it develops perfectly balanced fruity esters and phenols. The recommended addition of wildflower honey completes this complex and comforting profile.

Why choose this product?

• An authentic Belgian Golden Strong Ale at 8% ABV, balanced by soft bitterness (17 IBU).
• A rich aromatic profile combining spicy notes, citrus and malt sweetness.
• A recipe crafted by a professional Belgian brewer for a result worthy of the best specialty beers.
• A 20 L batch ideal for stocking your cellar with ageing‑friendly bottles.

Technical specifications

• Final volume: 20 L
• Style: Belgian Golden Strong Ale
• Alcohol (ABV): 8%
• Bitterness: 17 IBU (Soft)
• Colour: 10 EBC (Golden with copper highlights)
• Brew time: 5 h (90‑min boil)
• Water volume needed: 34.8 L (19.3 L mash + 15.5 L sparge)
• Water profile: Sulfate/Chloride ratio = 1 | Mash pH: 5.2
• Original gravity (OG): 1.072 | Final gravity (FG): 1.010
• The pack includes only the malts, hops, candi sugar, spices and yeasts required for the recipe.
• Not included: Wildflower honey is not supplied. You must purchase 560 g separately (370 g in the boil and 190 g in secondary fermentation).

Rolling Beers Tips

• Honey choice: Choose an artisanal wildflower honey (ideally local) to bring a rich floral bouquet that pairs perfectly with Styrian Golding hop aromas.
• Protein rest management: Respect the 10‑minute rest at 50 °C at the start of mashing. It promotes ferulic acid release (precursor of clove aroma) and improves filtration and foam stability thanks to wheat malt.
• Fermentation temperature control: Maintain fermentation at 20 °C with Lallemand Abbaye yeast. This temperature is ideal for expressing its characteristic esters and phenols without producing unwanted higher alcohols.
• Tasting: Serve Ursa Major gently in a chalice glass or large red wine glass to capture the full aromatic richness under a bright white foam.

Product FAQ

• Why is honey not included? To guarantee optimal freshness and let you choose the honey’s origin (we recommend local wildflower honey), it must be purchased separately.
• When should honey be added? In two steps: 370 g at 15 minutes before the end of the boil for pasteurisation and fermentability, then 190 g during the last week of secondary fermentation to preserve raw floral aromas.
• Can I brew the recipe without honey? The original spirit would be lost, but the beer will still work very well “plain”. It will also be slightly less strong.

The kit includes

• 5.00 kg Pilsen malt
• 0.50 kg wheat malt
• 0.25 kg Carabelge malt
• 0.10 kg Carahell malt
• 100 g Hersbrucker hops
• 100 g Styrian Golding hops
• 0.50 kg white candi sugar
• 100 g bitter orange peel
• 100 g coriander seeds
• 2 sachets Lallemand Abbaye yeast