Czech Pils ALE?

[NTXBrauer]

A friend of mine took a standard Czech pils recipe and fermented with a Calif. ale yeast. While this in no way was a true pils lager, it was rather tasty. Has anyone tried there hand at this type of Czech Ale concoction?

 

[Hitokiri]

I love my pilsner ales. I recommend trying WLP080.

 

[daksin]

Cali ale is a good way to go, but I also agree that WLP080 is the most lager-like yeast blend you can use for beers around 60-62F.

 

[Sir-Hops-A-Lot]

There are a couple of ales using Pilsner as a base in Randy Mosher's "Radical Brewing". They are called "India Cream Ale" and "Belgian IPA". You can ferment pilsner as an ale. I have a NB kit in the fridge that uses pilsner as a base, with simcoe hops and BRY 97 ale yeast.

 

[NTXBrauer]

Thanks Guys! My friend did a partial mash, but I want to go with an AG. I will go with your suggestion to try the WLP080 instead of the Cali. Ale yeast. I am sure the cream ale blend will improve on the lager flavoring.

 

[djt17]

I did a Pilsner SMASH with US-05, fermented @ 60°. It was great!

 

[tennesseean_87]

I've used notty in the upper 50s for this type of thing (also Marzen-tyle beer, except brewed in August!) and I like the results. I'm sure it isn't exactly lager, but it's pretty clean if you pitch a lot of yeast at low temp.

 

[NTXBrauer]

WLP080 should work for the temps I have to work with here in North Tx. Looking for some Saaz hops in the DFW area now, and hope to get started on this one soon.

 

[NTXBrauer]

Just hit my target FG at 1.009 on my all grain Czech Pils ALE after 7 days and a OG of 1.053. I managed to pull an efficiency number of %71.75 starting with 7 gallons of preboil wort.

The Bohemian Pils and Saaz hops lend to that Czech Pils character I am looking for, and it should only improve with 2 more weeks in the primary and 2 weeks of bottle conditioning. My target date to appreciate a bottle, will fall oh so close to Halloween. Did someone say trick or treat? Prosit!

 

[TheJasonT]

What if you were to use a Kölsch yeast? That might be the best of both worlds, or maybe even one that likes it cool, like 1728 Scottish Ale...

 

[NTXBrauer]

In looking all the recipes, I did see that several others have used a Kölsch yeast for a pseudo pils. Something to consider next time. As fall settles in here in TX, I will have an opportunity to do some lagering, and brew at cooler temps. Oh bring on the cooler weather.

 

[tennesseean_87]

Do those two weeks conditioning as cold as you can.

 

[RonPopeil]

according to Nothern Brewer's Brewing TV and Wyeast, wyeast's 2124 "bohemian lager" can be fermented in the low 60's without diacetyl or ester production. i believe you still have to treat it like a lager strain (huge starter, slower ferment but not as slow as a real lager ferment) been awhile since i watched that episode.

 

[NTXBrauer]

I am very pleased with the outcome of this beer. The Bohemian Pils malt and Saaz hops capture the characteristic taste of a Czech Pils, yet I was able to avoid the long lagering period buy using a Cream Ale yeast. Started with a OG of 1.053 and ended up with a 6.3% abv. Only downfall is I am running out fast.