Adding to a Kit

[brownmt]

So I just ordered my kegging materials and am ready to put my new talents/hobby on tap. I figured that I would stop making my own recipes (I have for my first few brews with tasty success) and put a kit in the keg. My soon-to-be wife has been asking for a pilsner. I know this is typically a very difficult brew, but it could be fun and if it goes right, could be pretty good with my new setup. So here is the issue. I went to my local HBS and saw (on chance - I was there for the brown ale tasting) an extract kit of pilsner. Well I bought it on a whim and took it home to find 2oz of hops (1 pellet, 1 dry leaf), 2 lbs of light DME and 3.3lbs of light LME - with one packet of dry ale yeast. Needless to say, I am dissapointed.

Any suggestions on some additions to convert this bland pack to a real pilsner? (I am thinking more along the lines of some carapils, some lager yeast, and some more appropriate hops...). Thanks for any input!

 

[Parker36]

What kind of hops did you get? I think you will be ok with the extract they gave you if you are going for a a light pilsner type. But, I agree with the lager yeast (with starter).

 

[RCCOLA]

Also, what kind of pilsner beers does she like?

 

[brownmt]

I got UK First Gold pellets and First Gold whole leaf hops. Also, she doesn't know - just that pilsner style is something she likes (we had a german style at out local brew pub and a czech at our previous local - both were good in her eyes). I am looking to tackle the challenege of the pilsner, but I figure if I start with a good recipe, then the likelihood of luck contributing to a good outcome is higher...

 

[RCCOLA]

That's some pilsner kit. First gold and ale yeast... HMM.
For a german style pils you could use some hallertau, for bohemian style--saaz all the way. Look in the recipe section for amts. and time additions.

I'd leave the extract as is w/o any x-tra grains- the LME has probably already got carapils in it.

 

[brownmt]

That was my guess for the hops. The LME and DME should suffice without a partial mash though? I'm trying to get my feet wet with the partial mash but worry that I overdo it at times...