| STYLE | OG | FG | ABV% | IBU | SRM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Bohemian Pilsner | 1.044-56 | 1.013-17 | 4.0-5.3 | 35-45 | 3-5 |
| B. Northern German Pilsner | 1.044-50 | 1.008-13 | 4.4-5.2 | 25-45 | 2-4 |
| C. Dortmunder Export | 1.048-60 | 1.010-15 | 4.8-6.0 | 23-30 | 4-6 |
| D. Muenchner Helles | 1.044-55 | 1.012-17 | 4.5-5.5 | 18-25 | 3-5 |
Aroma: Rich with a complex malt and a spicy, floral, Saaz hop bouquet. Moderate diacetyl acceptable.
Appearance: Light gold to deep copper-gold, clear, with a dense, creamy white head.
Flavor: Rich, complex maltiness combined with pronounced soft, rounded bitterness and flavor from Saaz hops. Moderate diacetyl acceptable. Bitterness is prominent but never harsh, and does not linger: The aftertaste is balanced between malt and hops. Clean, no fruitiness or esters.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied, medium carbonation.
Overall Impression: Crisp, complex and well-rounded yet refreshing.
History: First brewed in 1842, this style was the original clear, light-colored beer.
Comments: Uses Moravian malted barley and a decoction mash for rich, malt character. Saaz hops and low sulfate, low carbonate water provide a distinctively soft, rounded hop profile.
Ingredients: Low sulfate and low carbonate water, Saaz hops, Moravian malted barley.
Vital Statistics:
OG: 1.044-1.056
IBUs: 35-45
FG: 1.013-1.017
SRM: 3-5
ABV: 4-5.3%
Commercial Examples: Pilsner Urquell, Gambrinus Pilsner, Budweiser Budvar, Staropramen.
Aroma: May feature grain and distinctive, flowery, noble hops. Clean, no fruitiness or esters.
Appearance: Straw to medium gold, clear, with a creamy white head.
Flavor: Crisp, dry and bitter. Maltiness is low, although some grainy flavors and slight sweetness are acceptable. Hop bitterness dominates taste and continues through the finish and lingers into the aftertaste. Hop flavor can range from low to high but should only be derived from German noble hops. Clean, no fruitiness or esters.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium body, medium to high carbonation.
Overall Impression: Crisp, clean, refreshing beer that prominently features noble German hop bitterness accentuated by sulfates in the water.
History: A copy of Bohemian Pilsner adapted to brewing conditions in Northern and Central Germany.
Comments: Drier than Bohemian Pilsner with a bitterness that tends to linger more in the aftertaste due to higher attenuation and higher-sulfate water.
Ingredients: Pilsner malt, German hop varieties (especially noble varieties for taste and aroma), medium sulfate water.
Vital Statistics:
OG: 1.044-1.050
IBUs: 25-45
FG: 1.008-1.013
SRM: 2-4
ABV: 4.4-5.2%
Commercial Examples: Bitburger, Kulmbacher Moenchshof Pils, Jever Pils, Holsten Pils, Paulaner Premium Lager.
Aroma: Low to medium German or Czech hop aroma. Malt aroma is moderate.
Appearance: Light gold to medium gold, clear with a noticeable white head.
Flavor: Neither malt nor hops are distinctive, but both are in good balance with a touch of sweetness, providing a smooth yet crisply refreshing beer. Balance continues through the finish and the hop bitterness lingers in aftertaste. Clean, no fruitiness or esters.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, medium carbonation.
Overall Impression: Balance is the hallmark of this style.
History: A style indigenous to the Dortmund industrial region, Export has been on the decline in Germany in recent years.
Comments: Brewed to a slightly higher starting gravity than other light lagers, providing a firm malty body and underlying maltiness to complement the sulfate-accentuated hop bitterness.
Ingredients: High sulfate water, German or Czech hops, Pilsner malt.
Vital Statistics:
OG: 1.048-1.060
IBUs: 23-30
FG: 1.010-1.015
SRM: 4-6
ABV: 4.8-6.0%
Commercial Examples: DAB Export, Dortmunder Union Export, Kronen Export, Saratoga Lager.
Aroma: Grain and malt aromas predominate. May also have a very light hop aroma.
Appearance: Medium to deep gold, clear, with a creamy white head.
Flavor: Slightly sweet, malty profile. Grain and malt flavors predominate, with just enough hop bitterness to balance. Very slight hop flavor acceptable. Finish and aftertaste remain malty. Clean, no fruitiness or esters.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, medium carbonation, smooth maltiness with no trace of astringency.
Overall Impression: Characterized by rounded maltiness without heaviness.
History: Created in Munich in 1895 at the Spaten brewery by Gabriel Sedlmayr to compete with Pilsner-style beers.
Comments: Unlike Pilsner but like its cousin, Munchner Dunkel, Helles is a malt-accentuated beer that is not overly sweet, but rather focuses on malt flavor with underlying hop bitterness in a supporting role.
Ingredients: Moderate carbonate and sulfate water, Pilsner malt, German hop varieties.
Vital Statistics:
OG: 1.044-1.055
IBUs: 18-25
FG: 1.012-1.017
SRM: 3-5
ABV: 4.5-5.5%
Commercial Examples: Hacker Pschorr Munich Edelhell, Spaten Premium Lager.
"All beers were dark... until 1842" writes beer critic Michael Jackson, "when a brewery in Pilsen, Bohemia, introduced a lager... that was golden and clear." Pilsner, named for its hometown, has enjoyed incredible popularity for over 150 years and has been interpreted time and again by brewers worldwide. You've had the rest (American macrobrews) now homebrew the best. Northern Brewer's Czech Pilsner is faithful to the original: rich gold in color, caramelly — malty in body, and bursting with the spicy aroma of the Saaz hop.
6.6 lbs. Gold Malt Syrup
1 lb. DWC Caramel Pilsner
1 oz. Saaz (60 min)
1 oz. Tettnang (45 min)
1 oz. Saaz (1-2 min)
Wyeast Czech Pilsner #2278
This classic Pilsner has a bright gold color, and a distinctive Saaz hop aroma and flavor. This Pilsner is balanced with hop bitterness and malt sweetness. Pilsner Urquell is the pride of the Czech Republic pilsners'. Our ingredients for this recipe include:
6 lbs of Munton's Extra Light Dried Malt extract
10 oz. of German Specialty grains
5 oz of Czech Saaz hops
1 tsp Irish moss
muslin bag
priming sugar
yeast
This Pilsner is brewed in the tradition of a classic Czechoslovakian Pilsner. A golden colored lager that really makes an impression with the bitterness, flavor, and aromatic character of the indigenous Czech Saaz hop. Our ingredients for this recipe include:
6 pounds of Gold liquid gold extract
1 pound of specialty grains
2 ounces of imported hops
yeast
priming sugar
muslin bag
This golden colored lager is the pride of Europe. The highly recommended Wyeast imparts classic lager taste. Our ingredients for this recipe include:
3 lbs. of Extra light Dried Malt Extract
3.5 lbs. German Pilsner malt
1 lb. of Imported Specialty grains
Saaz Bittering hops
Saaz Flavoring hops
Saaz Aroma hops
Muslin bag
priming sugar
yeast
Too many commercial breweries use the term "Pilsner" to define their beers, and far too few actually brew a traditional "Pilsner" beer. You will definitely know why this style of beer is so popular in Europe once you have your first glass. This is a very popular beer that is an excellent all around lager. Authentic Saaz hops are used and a special crystal malt to give that classic golden amber color. The kit includes:
6 lbs. Gold malt extract
1 oz. Saaz bittering hops
1 oz. Saaz aroma hops
1/2 lb. Crystal 10°L
1/2 lb. Carapils
Wyeast 2007 Pilsen yeast
priming sugar
9 lb Moravian well-modified
1.5 oz Saaz (60)
1.5 oz Saaz (40)
1.5 oz Saaz (20)
H-strain 2001 yeast
1 cup corn sugar
9 lb Budvar malt
1 oz Saaz (60)
1 oz Saaz (40)
1 oz Saaz (20)
Budvar 2000 yeast
1 cup corn sugar.
Budvar undermodified multiple temperature mash
9 lb Moravian well-modified
1 oz Bor (60)
1 oz Sladek (40)
1 oz Saaz (20)
H-strain 2002 yeast
1 cup corn sugar
12 lb Budvar malt
1.5 oz Saaz (60)
1.5 oz Saaz (40)
1.5 oz Saaz (20)
Budvar 2000 yeast
1 cup corn sugar
Budvar undermodified multiple temperature mash.
ala Pilsner Urquell. Malty with beautiful hop aroma.
8 lb Moravian pale
2oz Saaz (60)
2 oz Saaz (30)
2oz Saaz (15)
H-Strain 2001 yeast
1 cup corn sugar
ala Budweis Budvar.
8 lb Moravian pale
1.25 oz Saaz (60)
1.25 oz Saaz (30)
1.25 oz Saaz (15)
Budvar yeast
1 cup corn sugar
Pale-straw color, dry and clean with excellent malt characteristics, and very hoppy. This is the real king of beers.
8# Durst Pils
1 oz Hallertau (60 min)
1 oz Hallertau (45 min)
1 oz Hallertau (20 min)
1 oz Hallertau (1 min)
White Labs German Lager
One of the signature beers of Munich, helles is a lager as pale as a pilsner, but as malty as an Oktoberfest.
8# Durst Pils
1/2# Vienna
1/2# Aromatic
1.5 oz Hallertau (45 min)
1/2 oz Hallertau (15 min)
Wyeast Bavarian Lager #2206
Gold Medal - Minnesota Renaissance Festival 1997
Pilsner malt 4 lb.
2 row malt 2 lb.
Munich malt 0.5 lb.
Carapils malt 1 lb.
Wheat malt 0.5 lb.
Biscuit DWC malt 2 oz.
Aromatic DWC malt 2 oz.
Tettnanger (4.3 alpha)leaf 0.33 oz. 60 min.
No. Brewer (7.4 alpha) 0.33 oz. 60 min.
Hallertau (4.2 alpha) 0.33 oz. 20 min.
Tettnanger (4.3 alpha)leaf 0.33 oz. 5 min.
Yeast: German and Wyeast Czech pils yeasts
Water Treatment: chalk 0.8 tsp.
Mash Schedule
Single decoction raising temperature from 120 to 152 degrees
Brewing Time: 60 min.
Fermentation:
Primary 20 days @55->44 degrees in glass
Secondary 15 days @44 degrees in keg
Carbonation: Forced at 7.5 volumes