I’m getting married in August, and of course I’ve planned to brew a range of beers for the wedding. I already have a big Imperial Stout ready, and it will probably be served together with dessert. It has been keg-aging for over a year, and it was tasting really nice a couple of weeks ago when I had a small sample. Yesterday I brewed the first batch of the ‘lighter’ beers: a German Pilsner. I’m also planning to make a Belgian Blond, American Pale Ale, American IPA, and a beer brewed with one of my recently developed hybrid lager yeasts.
I haven’t brewed for a while, since we are still renovating our brewing space, but everything went surprisingly smoothly: I was done in 5 hours and managed to hit all the numbers. I aimed for a hoppy and crisp Pilsner, in the style of Firestone Walker’s amazing Pivo Pils. The malt bill consisted of Pilsner malt and a hint of Cara-pils, and the original gravity was 1.048. For hops, I used Herkules at 90 minutes and Spalter at 30 minutes and flame-out (total IBU around 40-45). I will be dry-hopping with a slight amount of Saphir after the fermentation has slowed down. I’m fermenting with Fermentis’ W34/70, since I didn’t feel like making a huge yeast starter. I’ve had good success with it in the past, so it shouldn’t be a problem. I’m starting at 10C, but will be raising the fermentation temperature to 12C after a couple of days of fermentation. Hopefully everything goes well, and the wedding guests will be able to enjoy a clean, dry and crisp pilsner on a warm and beautiful August day!
Recipe Details
Batch Size |
Boil Time |
IBU |
SRM |
Est. OG |
Est. FG |
ABV |
18 L |
90 min |
48.6 IBUs |
6.0 EBC |
1.049 |
1.010 |
5.1 % |
|
Actuals |
1.046 |
1.01 |
4.7 % |
Style Details
Name |
Cat. |
OG Range |
FG Range |
IBU |
SRM |
Carb |
ABV |
German-Style Pilsener |
29 |
1.044 - 1.055 |
1.006 - 1.012 |
25 - 40 |
5.9 - 7.9 |
2.2 - 2.8 |
4.6 - 5.3 % |
Fermentables
Name |
Amount |
% |
Pilsner (Weyermann) |
4 kg |
93.02 |
Cara-Pils/Dextrine |
300 g |
6.98 |
Hops
Name |
Amount |
Time |
Use |
Form |
Alpha % |
Herkules |
15 g |
90 min |
Boil |
Pellet |
17 |
Spalt Spalter |
20 g |
30 min |
Boil |
Pellet |
3 |
Spalt Spalter |
80 g |
15 min |
Aroma |
Pellet |
3 |
Saphir |
30 g |
0 min |
Dry Hop |
Pellet |
3.5 |
Miscs
Name |
Amount |
Time |
Use |
Type |
Calcium Chloride |
6.00 g |
60 min |
Mash |
Water Agent |
Calcium Sulfate |
3.00 g |
60 min |
Mash |
Water Agent |
Lactic Acid |
2.00 ml |
60 min |
Mash |
Water Agent |
Yeast
Name |
Lab |
Attenuation |
Temperature |
W34/70 (2124) |
Fermentis |
73% |
8.89°C - 14.44°C |
Mash
Step |
Temperature |
Time |
Mash In |
64.44°C |
75 min |
May 22, 2015 at 1:09 pm
Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials! I’m envious that you have a unique yeast to work with! 🙂
May 22, 2015 at 3:21 pm
Thanks! 🙂
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