Brewed my first lager

[Crafty_Brewer]

I brewed my first lager yesterday “To Helles with it” Munich Helles!

5.25 gallon batch
Pilsner 8.5 lbs (84.63%)
Munich 1 lb (9.96%)
Melanoidin Malt 1.5 oz (0.93%)
Carapils 4 oz (2.49%)
Acid Malt 3.2 oz (1.99%)

Hallertau Mittelfruh
60 min - 2 oz
15 min - 0.5 oz
5 min - 0.5 oz
The packs said they were 2.33% AA, so a little lower than spec, that’s why I used more to hit IBU targets.

Targets:
OG 1.046
IBU 20
SRM 4.59

90 minute boil (I did increase the water to account for boil off, and collected 5 gallons into the fermentor; the hops stole a little wort)

I ended up with an OG of 1.052, with 86% efficiency (holy cow!) I usually run around 65%. Not sure if it was my mash schedule or the grains; I usually go for single rest mashes. All the grains were Weyermann.

I did a 2 step mash at 145F for 30 min and then 158F for 30 min.

Made a good size starter with WLP-830 and oxygenated the wort for 45 seconds.

It’s in the fermentor chamber at 53F, airlock is happily bubbling away after a 19 hour lag time. I know lager yeast are slower, but geeze it was making me nervous. I usually see my ales take off in just a few hours.

Lager yeast is weird, not much krausen on top, but a thick layer at the bottom of the fermentor.

I’m going to try the lager quick method, and raise it up to 67F for a D-rest after 7 days at 53F.

Also used my PH meter for the first time, mash PH was 5.66, so it looks like I could use a little more acid malt next time. I’m still waiting for my Ward labs water test results, but I’ve got an older whole home RO setup, but not sure just how filtered it really is - I’ll find out here soon.

 

[Crafty_Brewer]

Ok, krausen is starting to form on top, I was just impatient.

 

[Brewer dad]

Congrats, sounds like a great beer! Let us know how it comes out!

 

[Crafty_Brewer]

Oh yea, that’s more like what I normally see. It’s off to a good start.

 

[fluketamer]

that looks really good!
they can start slow but with a good pitch will compete with any ale yeast to put on a great show. thick 2 inch creamy off white kreusen with a full lava lamp effect. especially with the low SRM's in lagers. i could stare for hours. much better than a stout fermentation. lol except of course for the kreusen. nothing beats the explosive action of an ale yeast at 70 degrees with roasted grains. it seems they always want to bust out of the FV.

 

[Crafty_Brewer]

that looks really good!
they can start slow but with a good pitch will compete with any ale yeast to put on a great show. thick 2 inch creamy off white kreusen with a full lava lamp effect. especially with the low SRM's in lagers. i could stare for hours. much better than a stout fermentation. lol except of course for the kreusen. nothing beats the explosive action of an ale yeast at 70 degrees with roasted grains. it seems they always want to bust out of the FV.

Yea, it really took off on Sunday, yesterday it was down to 1.017 so 5 days at 53F, which was slightly more than 50% of the way to my expected FG.

I let it free rise yesterday, and finished off the last few degrees with my heat wrap to get it up to 67F this morning to finish fermenting and getting the D-rest started. The krausen has already fallen with a few chunky bits still in suspension. I’ll give it to about next Saturday at that temp and take a gravity sample and do a forced diacetyl test before cold crash.

Edit: here’s a pic of the sample, color looks good.

 

[redrocker652002]

Looks good. I will be doing my first Helles in the next week or two and looking forward to it. I have 2 packs of dry WLP860 at the ready with a fairly simple grain bill of Pilsner, Vienna and Biscuit. Going to use Hallertau Mittelfrau in the boil. I used the recipe the Apartment Brewer on youtube used so we will see. My son liked Helles so I am hoping he will enjoy this one. Keep posting on the progress and the final results. Looking forward to the taste post.

 

[Crafty_Brewer]

Looks good. I will be doing my first Helles in the next week or two and looking forward to it. I have 2 packs of dry WLP860 at the ready with a fairly simple grain bill of Pilsner, Vienna and Biscuit. Going to use Hallertau Mittelfrau in the boil. I used the recipe the Apartment Brewer on youtube used so we will see. My son liked Helles so I am hoping he will enjoy this one. Keep posting on the progress and the final results. Looking forward to the taste post.

I was checking out the Apartment brewer’s channel recently too; I found like 3 different Helles he brewed over the years with slightly different recipes, they all looked good. I compared that to the HBT recipe section and BYO’s recipes; seems like some pretty wide interpretations of what character grains to use if any. Seems like they range from a not hoppy pilsner all the way to a light festbier. I bet they are all good, but I also haven’t had any commercial examples to know what the style “should” taste like.

 

[redrocker652002]

I was checking out the Apartment brewer’s channel recently too; I found like 3 different Helles he brewed over the years with slightly different recipes, they all looked good. I compared that to the HBT recipe section and BYO’s recipes; seems like some pretty wide interpretations of what character grains to use if any. Seems like they range from a not hoppy pilsner all the way to a light festbier. I bet they are all good, but I also haven’t had any commercial examples to know what the style “should” taste like.

I will admit I am a fan of his channel. I like what he does and how he explains the steps that he does. I have watched others but for me, his channel seems to be the one I watch most.

 

[Dgallo]

I brewed my first lager yesterday “To Helles with it” Munich Helles!

5.25 gallon batch
Pilsner 8.5 lbs (84.63%)
Munich 1 lb (9.96%)
Melanoidin Malt 1.5 oz (0.93%)
Carapils 4 oz (2.49%)
Acid Malt 3.2 oz (1.99%)

Hallertau Mittelfruh
60 min - 2 oz
15 min - 0.5 oz
5 min - 0.5 oz
The packs said they were 2.33% AA, so a little lower than spec, that’s why I used more to hit IBU targets.

Targets:
OG 1.046
IBU 20
SRM 4.59

90 minute boil (I did increase the water to account for boil off, and collected 5 gallons into the fermentor; the hops stole a little wort)

I ended up with an OG of 1.052, with 86% efficiency (holy cow!) I usually run around 65%. Not sure if it was my mash schedule or the grains; I usually go for single rest mashes. All the grains were Weyermann.

I did a 2 step mash at 145F for 30 min and then 158F for 30 min.

Made a good size starter with WLP-830 and oxygenated the wort for 45 seconds.

It’s in the fermentor chamber at 53F, airlock is happily bubbling away after a 19 hour lag time. I know lager yeast are slower, but geeze it was making me nervous. I usually see my ales take off in just a few hours.

Lager yeast is weird, not much krausen on top, but a thick layer at the bottom of the fermentor.

I’m going to try the lager quick method, and raise it up to 67F for a D-rest after 7 days at 53F.

Also used my PH meter for the first time, mash PH was 5.66, so it looks like I could use a little more acid malt next time. I’m still waiting for my Ward labs water test results, but I’ve got an older whole home RO setup, but not sure just how filtered it really is - I’ll find out here soon.

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Congrats man. I started my lager adventures 3 or 4 years ago and now brew 5-6 a year.

Did you make this recipe or find it? I’m wondering how much impact 1.5 oz of Melanoidin malt and 4 oz of Cara pils will have. Seems like very low percentages. Either way, congrats on your lager. I’m sure it will be great!

 

[Crafty_Brewer]

Congrats man. I started my lager adventures 3 or 4 years ago and now brew 5-6 a year.

Did you make this recipe or find it? I’m wondering how much impact 1.5 oz of Melanoidin malt and 4 oz of Cara pils will have. Seems like very low percentages. Either way, congrats on your lager. I’m sure it will be great!

Thanks! I made the recipe but used guidance from HBT, BYO, and the apartment brewer.

I’m only using the carapils for head retention, and the melanoidin for decoction-like flavors, but this is my first time using either of them, so I figured I would start with just a touch of both.

 

[ClaudiusB]

Thanks! I made the recipe but used guidance from HBT, BYO, and the apartment brewer.

I’m only using the carapils for head retention, and the melanoidin for decoction-like flavors, but this is my first time using either of them, so I figured I would start with just a touch of both.

Congratulations on your first lager brew.
"I’m only using the carapils for head retention." Will you brew the same beer again without Carapils to verify it is the magic ingredient for head retention?

 

[Crafty_Brewer]

Congratulations on your first lager brew.
"I’m only using the carapils for head retention." Will you brew the same beer again without Carapils to verify it is the magic ingredient for head retention?

Thanks!

I usually don’t ever brew the same beer twice - too many styles and different ingredients I’d like to try.

I often but not always use something for head retention, in this case I’m trying carapils for the first time. Some kind of wheat for head retention is a habit of mine though. I guess if I get around to brewing a SMASH then I’ll know if carapils, wheat, or even regular crystal malts do anything for sure at that point.

 

[bwible]

Lager can be a regular thing once you can do it.

 

[bwible]

Congratulations on your first lager brew.
"I’m only using the carapils for head retention." Will you brew the same beer again without Carapils to verify it is the magic ingredient for head retention?

I just brewed a cold ipa. Pilsener, Carapils, 20% rice. I used minute rice. Yes, I’ll fight you over carapils

 

[ClaudiusB]

Thanks!

I usually don’t ever brew the same beer twice - too many styles and different ingredients I’d like to try.

I often but not always use something for head retention, in this case I’m trying carapils for the first time. Some kind of wheat for head retention is a habit of mine though. I guess if I get around to brewing a SMASH then I’ll know if carapils, wheat, or even regular crystal malts do anything for sure at that point.

"I often but not always use something for head retention," I have never used anything extra for head retention; my beers all have a great head.
"Yes, I’ll fight you over carapils" You can't win, my beers have foam without Carapils

 

[Dgallo]

I just brewed a cold ipa. Pilsener, Carapils, 20% rice. I used minute rice. Yes, I’ll fight you over carapils

I think there are many ways to skin the head retention cat.. step mashing for wort composition, high foam positive protein grains, hopping rates, and a few others.

There are many grains that work, I like using wheat a lot and I do use carapils with decent results. Spelt has been the best for me grain wise but it has a stronger character so I haven’t used it in any lagers yet.

Either way you do it, theirs nothing better than looking at a well poured beer with a rocky & pillow head. It may just be aesthetic but I think it makes a beer taste better lol. If you eat with your eyes, might as well drink with them lol

 

[Crafty_Brewer]

"I often but not always use something for head retention," I have never used anything extra for head retention; my beers all have a great head.
"Yes, I’ll fight you over carapils" You can't win, my beers have foam without Carapils

I think it was bwible fighting people over carapils; this was my first time using it.

I didn’t add anything to my Hefeweizen I brewed in early June for head retention, but it was like 70% wheat and has a massive head.

 

[Crafty_Brewer]

I think there are many ways to skin the head retention cat.. step mashing for wort composition, high foam positive protein grains, hopping rates, and a few others.

There are many grains that work, I like using wheat a lot and I do use carapils with decent results. Spelt has been the best for me grain wise but it has a stronger character so I haven’t used it in any lagers yet.

Either way you do it, theirs nothing better than looking at a well poured beer with a rocky & pillow head. It may just be aesthetic but I think it makes a beer taste better lol. If you eat with your eyes, might as well drink with them lol

I like an aesthetic beer as well, and I consider a good head part of that. As far as head retention ingredients go… I just picked up a whole sack of wheat malt along with my other base grains because I like wheat beers, and my wife specifically requested more wheat beers lol, so I’ll toss in some wheat for head retention in probably every beer because I have a whole sack of it. Can’t hurt anything.

 

[bwible]

I think it was bwible fighting people over carapils; this was my first time using it.

I didn’t add anything to my Hefeweizen I brewed in early June for head retention, but it was like 70% wheat and has a massive head.

Lol. Not fighting anybody. I use it. I don’t tell anybody else they have to. I can’t force anybody else to do anything.

 

[Crafty_Brewer]

Lol. Not fighting anybody. I use it. I don’t tell anybody else they have to. I can’t force anybody else to do anything.

And it’s so easy to just toss in some carapils or wheat. It’s not like it’s a huge progress change. I’ve also never looked at a beer and thought “gee this would be better with less head”.

 

[Dgallo]

And it’s so easy to just toss in some carapils or wheat. It’s not like it’s a huge progress change. I’ve also never looked at a beer and thought “gee this would be better with less head”.

just in life, more head is always better

 

[Crafty_Brewer]

Lager can be a regular thing once you can do it.

That’s the plan. So many new styles to try that I haven’t brewed before. I also need to refresh my yeast slurry jars I keep in the fridge every few months, so lagers are going on rotation.

 

[bwible]

All my glasses look like this when I get toward the bottom

 

[Crafty_Brewer]

Alright, this beer is pretty tasty already! This 4 days in the keg, first 24 hours was at 30 psi. Already clearing up nice, good clean taste. I’d call it a success.