For the last few weeks we've been attending NCT antenatal classes in preparation for our forthcoming arrival so we've been spending our Monday nights with other couples who are expecting babies in January. It made me start thinking about celebrations and champagne and why not a champagne ale as an alternative to that French stuff? Something pale, dry and fizzy and, well, champagne-y. A bit of research suggested that a Belgian blond would be the way to go. In the absence of a suitable dried yeast, I decided to take the plunge and have a go with a White Labs pitchable which is described exactly as I wanted, fruity and peary with a bit of sulphur which should dissipate on fermentation.

After a few delays due to more tidying and painting I got around to getting a brew on yesterday, and the final bill was as follows:

• 90% Bohemian pilsner
• 10% Torrified wheat
• Magnum hops
• Saaz hops
• White Labs WLP570 Belgian Golden Ale yeast

so really a fairly straightforward blond which I think I adapted from a Hopville recipe, adding the torrified wheat to get a little more head retention. More new hops and that liquid yeast.

The grain was rather powdery and I managed to get a stuck mash for the first time but released it with sparge water. The wort was a pale yellow colour and looked very promising, however it throws a huge amount of sediment although that settles very quickly. In the FV it's about a third of the liquid. Pitching the yeast was straightforward, as it should be, and it will remain to be seen if it's worth the additional expense. Pre-boil gravity was a satisfying 1080 reducing to an OG of 1060 and a yield of about 16l. It's bubbling away nicely and I'll probably transfer to secondary on Tuesday.

The idea for packaging is also champagne-like and I may actually buy some 750ml brown flip top bottles for it as that seems right for a satisying *pop* when it opens, and to actually share rather than savour alone. It should be ready in mid-January, just as, all being well, I become a Dad.