German Pilsner

[BenDoney]

This recipe has turned out great, even though it hasn't been kegged yet. After about a month in the fermenters it has really started to smooth out and has a very classic German Pils taste, almost like Trumer Pils with perhaps a bit more bittering. The first keg of this will probably NOT get a proper lagering period , but I will update when the second keg has had a chance to lager for 4 weeks. I'm pretty surprised at how easy and quick this lager was to brew. Definitely a brew-over.

German Pilsner
Batch Size: 11.00 gal
Boil Size: 13.47 gal
Boil Time: 75 min
Equipment: Sanke Keg System

Ingredients
18.00 lb Pilsner (2 Row) (2.0 SRM) Grain 90.00 %
1.00 lb Cara-Pils/Dextrine (2.0 SRM) Grain 5.00 %
1.00 lb Munich Malt (9.0 SRM) Grain 5.00 %

2.00 oz Pearle [8.00 %] (60 min) Hops 24.0 IBU
1.00 oz Select Spalt [4.75 %] (30 min) Hops 5.5 IBU
1.00 oz Select Spalt [4.75 %] (10 min) Hops 2.6 IBU

2.00 items Whirlfloc Tablet (Boil 15.0 min) Misc
1 Pkgs German Lager (White Labs #WLP830) [Starter 2600 ml] Yeast-Lager (2x 1300ml Erlenmeyer Flasks)



Beer Profile
Est Original Gravity: 1.050 SG
Measured Original Gravity: 1.048 SG
Est Final Gravity: 1.011 SG
Measured Final Gravity: 1.010 SG
Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 5.09 %
Actual Alcohol by Vol: 4.95 %
Bitterness: 32.0 IBU
Est Color: 4.0 SRM


Mash Profile
Single Infusion, Light Body, No Mash Out
Mash in with 6.25 gallons - 172F strike water
Hold mash for 75 minutes @ 150F

Sparge Water: 10.12 gal
Sparge Temperature: 175.0 F

Fermentation and Conditioning
Fermenting: 14 days @ 50F
Diacetyl Rest: 3 days @ 65F
Lager: Lower temp by 5F every day down to 34F - hold for 2 weeks

Kegging
Volumes of CO2: 2.4
Pressure/Weight: 9.7 PSI
Keg/Bottling Temperature: 37.0 F
Age for: 28.0 days

[BenDoney]

After a good lagering period I've tasted the beer and have to say I'm very pleased - for a first attempt. I find that there is a LOT of lingering bitterness, and even though it's not out of style I kind of prefer a more low key bittering. For the next batch of this beer, I'll be using only 1 ounce of Perle for bittering hops and I'll see how that works out.