Lightest beer without lagering...

[HoppyDaze]

I am going to brew a batch for a friends bachelor party and I was wondering what the lightest beer is I can make without lagering. I do not want to lager because for one I do not have the equipment and frankly I am not interested in making lager beers. By light I mean both taste and color. I am thinking maybe a SMaSH of some sort. I just notice my Vienna Northern Brewer SMaSH has really cleared up well over the last three weeks plus. Do you guys think that is the best way to go?

Thanks!

 

[Big10Seaner]

I would recommend a cream ale, blonde ale or a kolsch if you're looking for a lighter style beer. There are some great proven recipes in the recipes section.

 

[mbird]

I'd brew a 'cream ale' with an o.g. of about 1.040-1.042 Lightly hopped, ferment in primary for 2 weeks and go directly into bottles. Keep in fridge for 3 or for weeks after carbonation has developed.
mark
Beer Diary...

 

[Evan!]

Cream ale is your best bet. Cream ale is essentially the closest you get, style-wise, to American Light Lager without lagering. BCS's cream ale is 4.75 lbs each of pils and pale malt, then a lb of flaked rice or flaked corn, and 3/4lb of corn or cane sugar. Mash at 149. Ounce of Liberty hops at 60, half an ounce of liberty at 1min before flameout. Ferment with S05 or another clean american ale yeast...or Kolsch yeast for a more lager-like character.

 

[HoppyDaze]

Thanks everyone...

In what section of the recipe database do I find this creme ale recipe? I looked in the american ale and only found a couple. I have heard talk of this beer multiple times so I assume it would have a five star rating or be easy to find

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

For a smash, Pilsner malt and US-05 yeast. Cluster hops, maybe cascade. Go light on the hops.

Add some corn sugar and/or rice syrup solids to REALLY lighten the body and give the ABV a little boost.

As SWMBO says, "like Bud, only with flavor".

 

[giligson]

To most "under-educated" beer tastes, a nice light cream ale won't be distinguished from a lager.

 

[Lou]

Thanks everyone...

In what section of the recipe database do I find this creme ale recipe? I looked in the american ale and only found a couple. I have heard talk of this beer multiple times so I assume it would have a five star rating or be easy to find

cream ales should be under light hybrid

 

[DeathBrewer]

Here is my Cream Ale recipe:

4 lbs - American 2-Row
2.5 lbs - German Pilsner 2-Row
0.5 lbs - German Vienna Malt
0.5 lbs - German Munich Malt
1 lbs - Flaked Corn
1 lbs - Flaked Wheat
Mash @ 150°F

0.5 oz Fuggle (4.3%AA) + 0.25 oz Czech Saaz (2.5%AA) @ 60 minutes (bittering)
0.5 oz Czech Saaz (2.5%AA) @ 5 minutes (aroma)

WLP080 - Cream Ale Yeast Blend
Ferment at ~60°F

and here are a few great recipes from the Light Hybrid section:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f62/cream-three-crops-cream-ale-66503/

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f62/bee-cave-brewery-koelsch-33548/

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f62/lawnmower-lager-kolsch-cream-ale-90175/

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f62/amarillo-cream-ale-24652/

And Yoopers:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f66/ag-corn-cream-ale-33242/