| STYLE | OG | FG | ABV% | IBU | SRM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. AMERICAN LAGER | |||||
| A. Light/Standard/Premium | 1.035-50 | .098-1.012 | 3.5-5.1 | 8-22 | 2-8 |
|
1.040-50 |
1.010-12 |
4.1-5.1 |
14-20 |
10-20 |
|
|
1.044-60 |
1.010-15 |
4.5-6.0 |
25-40 |
3-6 |
|
1. AMERICAN LAGER
1A. Light/Standard/Premium
Aroma: Little to no malt aroma. Hop aroma may range from none to light, flowery hop presence. Slight fruity aromas from yeast and hop varieties used may exist, as well as perceptible levels of green apples due to acetaldehyde. Low levels of "cooked-corn" aroma from DMS may be present. No diacetyl.
Appearance: Very pale straw to pale gold color. White head seldom persists. Very clear.
Flavor: Crisp and dry flavor with some low levels of sweetness. Hop flavor ranges from none to low levels. Hop bitterness at low to medium level. Balance may vary from slightly malty to slightly bitter, but is relatively close to even. High levels of carbonation may provide a slight acidity or dry "sting." No diacetyl. No fruitiness.
Mouthfeel: Very light body from use of a high percentage of adjuncts such as rice or corn. Very well carbonated with slight carbonic bite on the tongue.
Overall Impression: Very refreshing and thirst quenching. "Light" beers will have a lower gravity and less resulting alcohol than the standard. Premium beers tend to have fewer adjuncts or can be all-malt.
Ingredients: Two- or six-row barley with high percentage (up to 40%) of rice or corn as adjuncts.
Vital Statistics:
OG: 1.035-1.050
IBUs: 8-22
FG: 0.098-1.012
SRM: 2-8
ABV: 3.5-5.1%
Commercial Examples: Standard: Budweiser, Molson Golden, Kirin, Corona, Fosters; Premium: Michelob; Light: Bud Light, Miller Lite.
RECIPES:
1B. Dark
Aroma: Little to no malt aroma. Little or no roast malt aroma since the color is usually derived artificially from the addition of dark caramel brewing syrups. Hop aroma may range from none to light flowery hop presence. Slight fruity aromas may exist from yeast and hop varieties used. Low levels of "cooked-corn" aroma due to DMS may be noticeable. No diacetyl.
Appearance: Deep copper to dark brown with bright clarity. Foam stand may not be long lasting.
Flavor: Crisp with some low levels of sweetness. Roasted malt flavors, very low to none; often the dark color is from dark caramel brewing syrups rather than roasted malts. Hop flavor ranges from none to low levels. Hop bitterness at low to medium levels. No diacetyl. No fruitiness.
Mouthfeel: Light to somewhat medium body. Smooth, although a well-carbonated beer.
Overall Impression: A colored version of lighter American lagers with little or no dark malts used. Somewhat sweeter than its pale cousins with a little more body.
Ingredients: Two- or six-row barley, corn or rice as adjuncts and potentially artificially colored with dark caramel brewing syrups.
Vital Statistics:
OG: 1.040-1.050
IBUs: 14-20
FG: 1.010-1.012
SRM: 10-20
ABV: 4.1-5.1%
Commercial Examples: Michelob Dark, Lowenbrau Dark, Beck's Dark, Saint Pauli Girl Dark.
RECIPES:
1C. Classic American Pilsner
Aroma: Low to medium clean, grainy and sweet maltiness may be evident. Medium to high hop aroma, often classic noble hops. No fruitiness or diacetyl. Some "cooked-corn" aroma due to DMS may be noticeable.
Appearance: Light to gold color. Substantial, long lasting head. Bright clarity.
Flavor: Medium to high maltiness similar to the Bohemian Pilsners but somewhat lighter due to the use of up to 30% flaked maize (corn) used as an adjunct. Slight grainy sweetness from the use of maize with substantial offsetting hop bitterness. Medium to high hop flavor from noble hops. Medium to high hop bitterness. No fruitiness or diacetyl.
Mouthfeel: Medium body and rich, creamy mouthfeel. Medium to high carbonation levels.
Overall Impression: A substantial Pilsner that can stand up to the classic European Pilsners, but exhibiting the native American grains and water available to German brewers who initially brewed it in the USA. Refreshing, but with the underlying malt and hops that stand out when compared to other modern American light lagers. The maize presents a unique grainy sweetness that is indicative of the style.
History: A version of Pilsner brewed in the USA by immigrant German brewers who brought the process and yeast with them when they settled in America. They worked with the ingredients that were native to America to create a unique version of the original Pilsner. This style died out with Prohibition but was resurrected as a home-brewed style by advocates of the hobby.
Comments: The classic American Pilsner was brewed both pre-Prohibition and post-Prohibition with some differences. OGs of 1.050-1.060 would have been appropriate for pre-Prohibition beers while gravities dropped to 1.044-1.049 after Prohibition. Corresponding IBUs dropped from a pre-Prohibition level of 25-40 to 20-35 after Prohibition.
Ingredients: Six-row barley with 20% to 30% flaked maize to dilute the excessive protein levels. Native American hops such as Clusters or traditional noble German hops. Modern Hallertau crosses (Ultra, Liberty,Crystal) are also appropriate.
Vital Statistics:
OG: 1.044-1.060
IBUs: 25-40
FG: 1.010-1.015
SRM: 3-6
ABV: 4.5-6%
Commercial Examples: None.
RECIPES:
Why do we have a kit to make the style of beer that, directly or indirectly, inspired so many to brew their own? Maybe it's just nostalgia for many of us, our first sip of beer was a taste of Dad's Pabst or a can of Hamm's stolen from the back of the fridge. Or perhaps after batches of stouts, bocks, tripels, and IPAs, you might want a change of pace. This beer has a body lightened by rice syrup and very low hop rate to make it appealing to nearly every taste. Plus, unlike the offerings of some megabreweries, our American Lager doesn't skimp on flavor!
3.3 lbs. Gold Malt Syrup
2.2 lbs. Rice Syrup
1 oz. Kent Goldings (60 min)
1 oz. Tettnang Hops (10 min)
Wyeast Pilsen Lager #2007
This is recipe will result in a brew that is yellow in color with a full white head. The Carapils Malt creates a crisp carbonation and light body. The light hop flavor and smooth malt flavor makes this lager worth storing until summertime. Our ingredients for this recipe include:
3.3 lbs. of Light malt extract
1 lb of Extra Light dried malt extract
1.5 lbs. of corn sugar
1 lb of Specialty grains
2 oz of imported bittering hops
1 oz of imported aroma hops
1 tsp. Irish moss
Muslin bag
priming sugar
yeast
The name says it all. This recipe uses 2 lbs of Rice Syrup, the same ingredient used by a brewery down in St. Louis, Missouri. Perfect for those who don't enjoy darker homebrews. Our ingredients for this recipe include:
3.3 pounds of Gold malt extract
2 pounds of Rice Syrup
1/2 pound of specialty grain
Hallertau hops
yeast
priming sugar
muslin bag
If you like light lagers, you've got to try this one. The imported hops and light malt extract make this lager incredibly light and refreshing. Our ingredients for this recipe include:
3.3 pounds of Light malt extract
1 pound of Extra Light dry malt extract
Carapils Malt
Crystal 10L Malt
Pride of Ringwood bittering hops
Pride of Ringwood aroma hops
yeast
priming sugar
Here is a beer that is most reminiscent of the beer we stole from Dad's fridge as youngsters. A good beer for those who are looking for an American style premium beer. Cold, fizzy and tangy just as we remember. This is a good light style of beer for those who like flavor in a refreshing beer. Goes great with a hot summer, fishing, and general fun in the sun. The kit includes:
3.3 lbs. Gold malt extract
1 lb. Gold dry malt extract
1/2 oz. Cascade bittering hops
1/2 oz. Cascade aroma hops
1/2 lb Crystal 10°L
1/2 lb. Carapils grain blend
Wyeast 2272 American Lager yeast
priming sugar
This light lager uses rice extract to make this the lightest beer in our kit lineup. This is a great beer to make for those friends of yours that you still haven't been able to convert to homebrew. Also great for those who complain that all of your beers are "too heavy", "too dark", or "too strong". A light refreshing "lawnmower" beer for those Bud and Genuine drinkers. The kit contains:
3.3 lbs Gold malt extract
2.2 lbs. Rice extract
1/2 oz. Hallertau bittering hops
1/2 oz. Hallertau aroma hops
1/2 lb. Carapils
Wyeast 2272 North American Lager yeast
priming sugar
Our Red Lager has a robust, partially caramelized malt flavor accented by the gentle flavor of Hallertau hops. One taste of this lager and you'll want to run out and buy another refrigerator just for lagering. Our ingredients for this recipe include:
6 pounds of Amber malt extract
1 pound of specialty grains
2 ounces of imported hops (Hallertau)
yeast
priming sugar
muslin bag
This smooth tasting well rounded amber colored lager goes well with any season and any occasion. A classic amber lager that goes well with many German foods. Slightly lighter in body than the Octoberfest kit. The kit includes:
6 lbs Amber Malt extract
1/2 lb. Crystal 50°L
1/2 lb. Carapils
1 oz. Hallertau bittering hops
1 oz. Hallertau aroma hops
Wyeast 2124 Bohemian Lager yeast
priming sugar
This is the beer your great-great grandfather enjoyed in the years before the government turned the brewing business over to the gangsters. It is the classic American beer, a marriage of highly enzymatic American 6-row malt with enzyme-poor corn that cuts the high malt proteins. This is not the insipid macro-brew of today. Rich, with a sweetness cut by a generous addition of European hops, Pre-prohibition Lager stands proudly as a beer for the discriminating brewer and drinker.
The mash process is a step infusion mash, with rests at 122° F (30 min), 150° F (60 min), and 168° F (5 min).
1.5 lbs. US 6-Row
1/2 lb. US Carapils
1 lb. Flaked Maize
6 lbs. Gold Malt Syrup
1 oz. Tettnag (60 min)
1 oz. Saaz (60 min)
1 oz. Tettnag (10 min)
Wyeast Pilsen Lager #2007
Colonial American Pilsner.
7.25 lbs 6-row
2 lbs flaked maize
3 oz Saaz
1 oz Hallertau
California Lager yeast
1 cup corn sugar