Ale close to a dark lager

[myelo]

My father-in-law loves dark lagers, for example Dunkel lagers. I don't have the setup for lagers yet but would like to make something reasonably similar for him. I can do extracts and BIAB and ferment down to about 60F in my basement. I wondered about a darker California common or a dark lager with something like a Kolsch yeast.

Any suggestions for a recipe?

 

[D-Train]

Altbier comes to mind.

Edit with recipe: http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=Kaiser_Alt

 

[Braufessor]

Just brew the beer you are thinking of and pitch German Ale Yeast 1007 yeast..... I think that would get you in the ballpark for sure. 1007 ferments nicely in that temp. range and makes a clean malty beer - cold conditioning after drops it nice and clear. I have used it in "faux" oktoberfest type beers before and it worked well.

 

[wobdee]

Look up some Dunkel recipes and ferment with Wyeast 2124 Bohemian Lager, it has a large temp range and has been known to give pretty lager like character in 60 degree range.

 

[Jonkl]

WLP029 Kolsch is really clean and lager-like, and it's fast. If you can ferment at 60 degrees, you could probably even go the steam beer route and try a basic lager yeast. SafLager S-23 works pretty well.

For the rest, probably somewhere in the realm of a 3 to 1 ratio of pilsner to Munich malts/extracts for a base, with crystal malts for character and some carafa or other roasted malt for color. German hops, of course.

 

[estricklin]

When your looking to brew a lager, you'll always be closer by using an actual lager yeast, than an ale yeast. Even if you can't ferment low enough. Use a lager yeast, run it at 60F, you'll be glad you did.

 

[myelo]

Wow, a lot of great suggestions. Thanks so much, that was very helpful. I can't decide which one to brew so I'll just have to try several.

 

[JKaranka]

You could also try a dark mild with no roast malts (some crystal, plus brewers' caramel / dark invert sugar for colour).

 

[brewbama]

Try a Munich Dunkel recipe with Cali Common Yeast. It's a lager yeast that will do well at Ale temps.

 

[Thanks_Yeasties]

Recently brewed a new belgium 1554 clone, it turned out great. Its fermented with the wyeast 2124, a lager yeast fermented at ale temperatures, that wobdee mentioned. Id be happy to provide the recipe if thats something close to what youre looking for.

 

[myelo]

Recently brewed a new belgium 1554 clone, it turned out great. Its fermented with the wyeast 2124, a lager yeast fermented at ale temperatures, that wobdee mentioned. Id be happy to provide the recipe if thats something close to what youre looking for.

That would be great if it's not too much trouble.

 

[Owly055]

Mangrove Jacks M10 (an ale yeast) is described as follows:

"Suitable for brewing a range of styles from light lager to Baltic porter."

 

[Thanks_Yeasties]

10# 2 row
2# carapils
.5# crystal 120
.5# chocolate malt
.5# munich malt
.25# debittered black

SG 1.062 FG 1.015 6.08% ABV 23.6 IBU's

Mash @ 153.5 -5.18 gallons
Sparge (batch) 3.62 gallons

Add 1oz target hops to the first wort runnings

60 mins boil

Wyeast2124 - Bohemian lager

Generally my house stays between 60-68 where this was fermenting. I kegged it a month after month and waited another two weeks on gas to drink it.

First time Ive posted a recipe so if I forgot something just let me know.

 

[Codfishhead]

I recently made a 100% Vienna Lager, German Schwartz Lager, and a Pilsner all with Cal Lager yeasy 2112. Ferments in the low 60s with no off flavors. Very fast, clean and neutral yeast.

I started all the beers off at 60 degrees for 8 days, then into glass carboys and raised the temp to 64 for 8 more days. Then into 35 degrees for a week to cold crash. Kegged, force carbonated, and drank.

Brewing an IPA and the Vienna Lager again tomorrow. People love this clear, crisp, malty dark Lager. My Vienna Lager is called Wife Beater

For a nice neutral ale my go to yeast is the German Ale. Which is going into my IPA