10 replies to this topic

[haeffnkr]

I have read a lot of recipes for American Standard Lager beers.

 

Some use Pils some use 2 row, some use both.

What would you use?

 

I guess the pils would make for a crisper/drier beer and the 2 row a bit more sweet? or?

 

thanks Kevin

[Big Nake]

European pilsner has a certain character that could give an American Lager a but too much... uh... character. But that would be by BMC standards. If you wanted to make an "American Lager", you could use a good domestic base malt which would be a little more bland than a European malt and still get the job done. You would want to be careful of the malt you choose though because some are deeper than others and you don't want that. Choose a standard 2-row like Canada Malting or maybe Rahr. Don't get anything called "pale ale" malt because it may have more depth and color than you want. I think a lot of domestic breweries make "American Lager" with plain 2-row base malt, not pilsner malt. All that said, you could also use a domestic pilsner malt like Rahr. Lots of options here. Good luck.

[neddles]

I can't comment on that style specifically but I will say this… If I am looking to get less character from my base malt I use american 2-row. 

[positiveContact]

European pilsner has a certain character that could give an American Lager a but too much... uh... character. But that would be by BMC standards. If you wanted to make an "American Lager", you could use a good domestic base malt which would be a little more bland than a European malt and still get the job done. You would want to be careful of the malt you choose though because some are deeper than others and you don't want that. Choose a standard 2-row like Canada Malting or maybe Rahr. Don't get anything called "pale ale" malt because it may have more depth and color than you want. I think a lot of domestic breweries make "American Lager" with plain 2-row base malt, not pilsner malt. All that said, you could also use a domestic pilsner malt like Rahr. Lots of options here. Good luck.

 

CMC also makes a pils.

[johnpreuss]

Rahr 2 row... Cargill or Briese would probably be better. And some CORN!

[3rd party JKor]

Get some US 6-row.

[haeffnkr]

Well that settles it...

 

I have seen slightly more recipes with 2 row and yes of course a bit of corn.

 

But yes ... some have 6 row also ....ugh...and all of these have recipes have done well in competitions, including AHA....seems strange to me.

 

thanks guys

Kevin

[denny]

pils

[SchwanzBrewer]

I say flip a coin and enjoy the beer.

[denny]

I say flip a coin and enjoy the beer.

THIS^^^^^^

[Big Nake]

I remember reading some threads like this when I was a new brewer and seeing people suggest American 2-row because people who are used to drinking American macro-swill are not used to the taste of continental pilsner. I realize you're not making 'macro-swill' necessarily and you could clearly use some domestic pils which may have less character than one from Europe. As I think about the style "American Lager", I have to wonder what that means to me. Is it Bud? Is it Yuengling? I would probably use some sort of relatively bland American pilsner like Rahr, Briess, Great Western, etc. and then probably just corn along with (maybe) a little carapils or carafoam so I could get some sort of head on the beer. Then I would probably use some sort of American noble hop like Santiam, Mt. Hood, Crystal, Liberty, etc. and the one American lager yeast I seem to like (a little bit) is WLP840. I have tried 2007 and also 2035 and 2035 would be my second choice. It might be fun to try this style now that I have my water and pH process in better shape.