Kolsh yeast to make a Negra Modelo clone?

So I happen to really like Negra Modelo, which is something like a Vienna Lager or Munich Dunkel depending on who you ask. I've love to brew it up, but have no experience with lagers and no way to keep fermentation temps lower than 60F or so for long periods of time.

I was wondering if using the Wyeast Kolsch strain if I could produce something similiar. Here's the total recipe, gleaned off a few different places:

Style: Vienna Lager OR Kolsch
1.051 OG
1.013 FG
IBUs: 20-ish
SRM: 10
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6lb Vienna
2lb Munich (light, 9L)
6oz Honey Malt
6oz Crystal 20L
3oz Pale Chocolate
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60 min 1.0oz Willamette (5.5)
10 min 0.5oz Tettnang (4.5)
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Wyeast Kolsch (2565)
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Fermented at 60-65F for 3 weeks then bottled
Bottle-lagered in fridge (38F) for 2-3 weeks

So would a Kolsh turn out a decent lager-like beer with this profile? I'm going pretty light on the crystal malts and definitely not too hoppy.

I know this won't be exactly like a real lager, but I would love to hear if folks using Kolsch can tell me if it will turn out a nice, lager-like beer using this recipe and process. Thanks.

Kolsch yeast, when fermented cold, should give you a good pseudo lager. As long as you keep your temperatures in check I'm sure it will come out nice. In my experience fermenting kolsch yeast around 60 always produces good beer but if your temp starts to get higher than 65 expect some fruity esters which won't compliment this style. I'd say give it a try.

Use the WLP Mexican Lager strain (Platinum) - it has produced some incredible lagers for me.

axlrose16 said:

Use the WLP Mexican Lager strain (Platinum)

Click to expand...

Yeah I heard that one was great, but I'm not set up for lagering. The best I can do is lager a bottled beer in the back of my fridge for a few weeks once its carbed up.

Forgot to update this thread, the beer turned out very, very good. Very much like a Negra, but maybe not quite as dry and crisp. Here's the final recipe:

Recipe Type: All Grain
Yeast: WLP029
Yeast Starter: 1 quart
Batch Size (Gallons): 5
Original Gravity: 1.048
Final Gravity: 1.010
IBU: 14-20
Boiling Time (Minutes): 60
Color: 12
Primary Fermentation (# of Days & Temp): 62-66F 18 days
Secondary Fermentation (# of Days & Temp): 35F 30 days
Tasting Notes: Smooth, slight chocolate roast & some toasty notes but very clean and very mild.

5.5 lbs Vienna
1.0 lbs Munich
1.0 lbs Flaked Corn
8.0 oz Crystal 40
2.0 oz Carafa II
1.5oz Hallertaur Pellets (5.8%) all as First Wort Hops

Half Publix "spring" water, half RO water.
I did this beer as a No-Chill and it's damn near crystal clear now.