nsrstka

Recipes 

Hey guys,

I recently tried a Helles (Spaten I believe) and realized I absolutely love it. I would love to try to brew one of these but...

I do not have the stuff to brew a lager. So my question is does someone out there have a good Helles recipe that could be used with a yeast that would be more at home fermenting at slightly higher temps than a german lager yeat would? Perhaps something like the 2112 California lager strain or even a kolsch yeast?

Thanks,
Nick

homebrewer_99

Recipes 

If you can't lager using a lager yeast then you're left with an ale yeast.

You could use a lager yeast at ale temps which would bring you in line with a Steam-style brew.

Welcome. Where do you live?

__________________
HB Bill

nsrstka

Recipes 

I live in Eugene, Oregon.

Are there any ale yeasts that would be a good choice for this? What would fermenting with a lager yeast at ale temps do to the final product?

Nick

homebrewer_99

Recipes 

Eugene, OR??? Can't you just place a primary in the garage to lager?

I'm in IL and that's what I do...

You just have to bring them in if the temps drop too much.

__________________
HB Bill

BigEd

Recipes 

Sorry, but unless you can provide the conditions for true lagering you won't be able to make a real Helles. Helles is a simple but delicate brew and as such the "pseudo-lager" effect will be more noticeable here. You can make a really nice blonde ale with a clean ale yeast, call it a Helles and most of your friends won't know the difference. Kolsch is another good choice. The basic beer is similar but the specific notes of the Kolsch yeast strains set it apart. The White Labs Kolsch yeast works well in the 60sF so you wouldn't need to get much lower than basic ale temps. For a Helles style go with German pilsner malt up to 100%. A small percentage of Vienna, Munich or very light crystal or dextrin (3-5%) are popular additives. Use German noble hops or a close relative (American Mt. Hood, Liberty, etc) and keep the IBUs in the very low 20s. For Kolsch style again stick with pilsner malt up to 100%. Wheat malt is optional, 5-10% would be suggested if you want to use some. Hops could be similar to the Helles or a few more IBUs if you like, say 26-28. If you are into decoction mashing I say go for it with either of these brews. Otherwise single temp of 151F/66C for the Helles style and 148F/64.5C for the Kolsch is fine.