I posted a thread about recipe development that has some interesting insights into the ways people come up with original recipes. I did it because, while I've been successful at times, there have been a few styles that I've never been able to brew to my satisfaction. Belgian dubbel and Dusseldorf alt are two examples of styles I've brewed multiple times and have yet to be really content with the outcome. I've even worn myself out drinking the mediocre attempts and have had to give up brewing them for awhile. Its frustrating not to be able to brew something that does justice to a style. I'm not talking about brewing a beer that rivals a Westmalle or Zum Uerige, but it should have some of the essence of the style.
So this thread is about those styles that have eluded you so far. I know that we are often our own worst critics, but we're often the most knowledgable set of lips to slurp down the products and we want to brew to our own satisfaction first and foremost.
Anybody else got a testimonial?
