Belgian Pale Ale without Pilsener?

[Omahawk]

I am planning to make the Mirror Pond Pale Ale CYBI recipe, which is something like 90% Pale Ale malt, 7% Crystal 75 and 3% Carapils (I need to actually write it down next time I listen). At the same brew session, a friend is interested in using the same grain bill, but using Belgian yeast and appropriate European hops. I think Belgian Pale Ales typically use Pilsener as the base. Has anyone tried a Belgian yeast - maybe WY 1388 and some hallertau/saaz hops with a malty US Pale Ale grain bill? Any reason not to?

[Mills]

Go for it! As you know, american pale ale certainly is not pils malt, but it will make a tasty beer.

[Travisty]

Yeah go for it! The Belgian Blonde Ale I made last year used domestic 2-row instead of pilsener and it turned out great. It won a gold medal in the one comp I entered it in. It was a little darker than what it would have been with pilsener and I'm sure the flavor was a bit different, but it was still real good.

Besides, is Sam really going to be able to notice the difference??

[Omahawk]

Thanks for the positive feedback. Not being a big fan of the Pils taste, I was excited that he wanted to try this out for the Belgian Pale. For the American Pale, I will be doing the Mirror Pond clone recipe with their hop schedule, but switch to either American Ale II or Northwest Ale yeast.

Besides, is Sam really going to be able to notice the difference??

Absolutely not.

[brewinhard]

I have seen award winning recipes with blends of Maris otter and pilsner malt. Haven't tried brewing them yet, but they do sound good!