Pilsner with Cascade/Centennial

**Grizzlybrew** · 09-16-2009, 12:25 AM

Just a thought/question...

I enjoy lagers. I enjoy ales. I really enjoy hoppy ales.

Of course, most of my buddies are BMC drinkers and alot of the brews so far have been met little critical acclaim. I was thinking about a compromise and experiment.

I was wondering if anyone has made a pilsner, forgone the saaz and put it cascade, simcoe, centennial, amirillo, etc. (you get the drift) and even dry-hopped?

To be honest, I just got my ferm chamber set up and have not made a lager yet, but am thinking of something along these lines.

tdavisii · 09-16-2009, 12:37 AM

I think it sounds delicious. Im a recovering cascade addict

ODaniel · 09-16-2009, 12:38 AM

I think it would be good. Kinda like a modern Classic American Pilsner, if that makes any sense (modern as far as hops go).

Scooby_Brew · 09-16-2009, 12:56 AM

I'm a Cascade lover. But I don't think Cascade does well in lagers. Before you brew it you may want to try it as a finished product. I know that Bell's makes one, but right now I can't remember if it's called Bell's Lager or Bell's Third Coast or something else.
Now Bell's usually makes just FANTASTIC beers. This one is IMO just so-so, although, from a historical point of view, it's a "must try".

**dstar26t** · 09-17-2009, 12:26 AM

I made an imperial pilsner a few times with saaz hallertau and centennial. 8% abv, 110 ibus and finished it dry with some corn sugar. Dry hopped with all three too. It was awesome. I don't know about an American hop centered lager since I used only 1/3 american. Give it a shot, you're a homebrewer.

Jaysus · 09-17-2009, 12:31 AM

sacrilege!

**dstar26t** · 09-17-2009, 12:38 AM

Haha, yeah. Saaz and hallertau together plus an American hop. I'm surprised the beer gods didn't strike me down during the boil.

**Grizzlybrew** · 09-17-2009, 04:13 AM

For those of you interested, I talked to owner of the best beer store in Atlanta HopCity Craft Beer & Wine , Kraig, and he pointed me towards Coney Island (Shmaltz Brewing). The only time I had any was so long ago I don't think I realized what I was drinking at the time.

Although, I'm not crazy about what looks like a "kitchen-sink" approach to the brews, I think I'll try a few to get an idea.

Check them out: http://www.shmaltz.com/CONEY/cil.html

Not to mention, the Mermaid Pilsner label makes me happy.

**pjj2ba** · 09-17-2009, 01:56 PM

I think American hops would be fine in a true Pilsner. With Pilsners, it is all about the bittering hop, with some flavor and a small amount of aroma hops (if any). I think if hopped this way, the "American" flavors won't be too strong. Now, as soon as you start adding a bunch of late addition hops and dry hopping, it's not a true Pilsner any more. Its some kind of new fangled Lager - which could be quite good, just not a pilsner.

**Homercidal** · 09-18-2009, 12:06 PM

It doesn't matter if it's a lager or an ale. The pilsner part is what keeps the style. YOu would be creating a new style, like pjj2ba said. But that is not necessarily a bad thing. The problem is that pilsners are lighter beers, so you will have to pay attention to the amounts or you will over do it (It sounds like you kind of WANT to overdo it, but I mean, even more than that).

I'm not a big fan of pilsners, but I do like some hops, especially the American varieties. I'd be curious to see how it comes out, but I don't see the point in trying to make a pilsner for your buddies, and adding lots of Am. hops. I think that's not going to fly with them, and probably still be too light for your own tastes. Sounds like a fine line you are dancing on.