SpanishCastleAle
Well-Known Member
I'm planning a Vienna Lager in the near future and noticed that many/most of the recipes I see do not have enough color for the BJCP Style guidelines which is 10-16 SRM (I've also seen 8-12 SRM on Tastybrew). I'm trying to make beers that could be entered in competitions so I'd like to stay within those guidelines.
But looking at the BJCP Style Guideline for Vienna Lager...some color malts don't seem appropriate. For example, for 'Flavor' it says:
For 'Aroma' it says:
So it appears that Caramel/Crystal malts as well as any Roasted malts should be avoided.
Do I just use Lager, Vienna, and Munich and get most of my color from the Munich? That's gonna be a lot of Munich...is the beer gonna have the right malt flavor/aroma using a lot of Munich?
Any other tips for Vienna appreciated. Decoction mash? Seems like such a nicely balanced style...why is it not more popular?
But looking at the BJCP Style Guideline for Vienna Lager...some color malts don't seem appropriate. For example, for 'Flavor' it says:
Soft, elegant malt complexity is in the forefront, with a firm enough hop bitterness to provide a balanced finish. Some toasted character from the use of Vienna malt. No roasted or caramel flavor. Fairly dry finish, with both malt and hop bitterness present in the aftertaste. Noble hop flavor may be low to none.
For 'Aroma' it says:
Moderately rich German malt aroma (of Vienna and/or Munich malt). A light toasted malt aroma may be present. Similar, though less intense than Oktoberfest. Clean lager character, with no fruity esters or diacetyl. Noble hop aroma may be low to none. Caramel aroma is inappropriate.
So it appears that Caramel/Crystal malts as well as any Roasted malts should be avoided.
Do I just use Lager, Vienna, and Munich and get most of my color from the Munich? That's gonna be a lot of Munich...is the beer gonna have the right malt flavor/aroma using a lot of Munich?
Any other tips for Vienna appreciated. Decoction mash? Seems like such a nicely balanced style...why is it not more popular?