I decided to start my pilsner journey with a known recipe this time from Brewing Classic Styles. Putting my own preferences aside this recipe is solid ground to build upon (obviously). I adjusted the malt and hops to better fit my brewery utilizations, specifically I toned down the hop additions and decreased the base malt. The beer turned out fantastic and it won’t last long. Unfortunately I’ll need to wait another 4-6 months before I can brew pilsners again!
Notes
Color is a darker straw color.
Did not fine, but clarity is good after 30 days. Can read through the glass but could be clearer.
Poured with a nice white head, tight bubbles. Head retention lasts as long as the beer.
A firm bitterness. There’s a bit of a grassy taste up front I could do without.
At the beginning of the beer there is a mineral note that eventually dissipates.
Recipe
Style:
Bohemian Pilsener
Batch Size:
6.0 gal
Boil Time:
90 min
Mash Efficiency:
75%
OG
FG
ABV
IBU
SRM
1.049
1.014
4.9
39.7
3.6
Yeast
SafLager W-34/70
1.0 pkg
Fermentables
German Pilsner
11.0 lb
(92.0%)
Carapils
1.0 lb
(8.0%)
Hops
Saaz
1.25 oz
60 min
Saaz
1.75 oz
30 min
Saaz
1.0 oz
10 min
Saaz
1.0 oz
dry hop
Extras
Whirlfloc
0.5 each
Yeast Nutrient
2.0 tsp
Water
Calcium Chloride
1/4 tsp
Mash
Gypsum
1/8 tsp
Mash
Calcium Chloride
1/5 tsp
Sparge
Gypsum
1/8 tsp
Sparge
Mash at 155F for 60 minutes. Mash out at 167F for 10 minutes. 90 minute boil. Ferment at 65F for 2 weeks. Cold condition in keg at 40F for 30 days.
Changes
Cut the mineral additions in half, just add to the boil.
Add another hop to the mix, especially aroma and dry hop. Maybe something floral? French might be interesting?
I decided to start my pilsner journey with a known recipe this time from Brewing Classic Styles. Putting my own preferences aside this recipe is solid ground to build upon (obviously). I adjusted the malt and hops to better fit my brewery utilizations, specifically I toned down the hop additions and decreased the base malt. The beer turned out fantastic and it won’t last long. Unfortunately I’ll need to wait another 4-6 months before I can brew pilsners again!