| Author |
Message |
    
Mike G.
Member
Username: Mikeg
Post Number: 234
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 64.68.169.121
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 - 05:11 pm: | 
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Hello, everyone.
I am planning to brew a light lager/pils, etc for summer mowing season.
I am thinking something like:
80% 2-row
20% minute rice or corn meal (edge to minute rice, since it doesn't need a cereal mash)
Mash at 150 for about 60-90 minutes
OG 1.040 - 1.043
1/2 ounce Cluster @ 60, about 15 IBUs
1/2 ounce Cluster @ 10 minutes
Yeast - 3 quart starter of Wy2278 (I have this ready and waiting for a brew)
Ferment at 50-52 degrees
Lager at 35-40 degrees, 6-8 weeks
I realize this is sort of like a Light/Standard American lager, hopefully a crowd-pleaser.
Thoughts? I am open to other ideas for a crisp, light lager for summer. (this yeast is just begging to be put to work)
Thanks in advance. Oh yeah, I do have a fair hop inventory for lagers: mt. hood, saaz (only an ounce), Liberty, NZ hallertau, magnum, horizon, etc. |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 8465
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 216.145.100.105
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 - 07:45 pm: |
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I don't dislike Clusters at all, and in fact I use them for bittering fairly often. However, I probably would opt for a different (more interesting to me) flavor/aroma hop. Mt. Hood or Liberty would be my choices from your list (I've never used NZ Hallertau). But it's your beer and there is absolutely nothing wrong with your recipe. |
Jack Horzempa
Junior Member
Username: Jack_horzempa
Post Number: 35
Registered: 02-2007
Posted From: 38.243.104.19
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 - 09:25 pm: |
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Mike, I will basically ‘second’ what Bill stated. I utilize Cluster as my bittering hops for CAPs. I then utilize Hallertau type hops for flavor (and aroma). My favorite flavor/aroma hop for American Lagers (CAP) is Hallertau Mittelfrueh but for my last batch of CAP I couldn’t obtain these hops so I used Hallertau Hersbrucker instead. Mt Hood is an American ‘version’ of a Hallertau hop so it should be good as well.
I have heard it mentioned that Cluster hops can have a ‘catty’ flavor/aroma. I have never experienced this but then again I have only used Cluster as a bittering hop. Maybe the ‘catty’ aspect only shows itself if Cluster is used as a flavor/aroma hop? Anyhow, maybe this would be more reason to use something else for your flavor addition? |
Tim Wi
Advanced Member
Username: Riverkeeper
Post Number: 973
Registered: 03-2005
Posted From: 170.141.68.2
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 - 09:43 pm: |
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I like Spalt for the yaller beer crowd pleasers.
Tim |
Denny Conn
Senior Member
Username: Denny
Post Number: 6619
Registered: 01-2001
Posted From: 63.114.138.2
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 - 10:43 pm: |
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I'd recommend a lower mash temp for drinkability in the summer. Maybe 146ish. |
Mike G.
Member
Username: Mikeg
Post Number: 236
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 64.68.174.53
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 04:44 am: |
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Good thoughts everyone, thanks. I am considering the Cluster flavor addition, since I am looking for an american-type flavor profile-it is a bit of an experiment for me. (I am sure it will be too much flavor). I'll need to think about it some more. |
danno
Advanced Member
Username: Danno
Post Number: 726
Registered: 03-2002
Posted From: 75.164.132.231
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 06:54 am: |
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I brew a Belgian Pils. Okay, maybe it's a light Tripel or something. All Pils malt with 2# of sugar in 10gal for a 1.060 beer and ferment with 3787 Trapist High Gravity yeast. Yummy, light, refreshing and still has some kick. Hop lightly. |
Jack Horzempa
Junior Member
Username: Jack_horzempa
Post Number: 36
Registered: 02-2007
Posted From: 38.243.104.19
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 03:47 pm: |
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Mike, if you run your 'experiment' could you please report back. I am curious how the Cluster flavor addition works out.
From a Northern Brewer catalog: "Cluster: Sharp, "catty" American hop ..." |
Geoff Buschur
Senior Member
Username: Avmech
Post Number: 1546
Registered: 06-2004
Posted From: 65.170.41.5
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 04:18 pm: |
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I have a great lager on tap right now.
100% American 2-row
100% Cluster (I'll have to check my notes later for quantity and times)
WLP830
I do not find cluster to be sharp or catty. I find it slightly citrusy and refreshing.
Also on tap I have a CAP bittered with Liberty, flavored with Mt. Hood/Styrian and Liberty for aroma. And next to that I have a 100% Hallertau pilsner so I have some good beers to compare the cluster pilsner to. |
Chumley
Senior Member
Username: Chumley
Post Number: 5282
Registered: 02-2003
Posted From: 63.118.227.254
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 05:23 pm: |
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Another vote for 100% Clusters. I have used them for flavoring additions, and found them to be delicious. They have a sort of elderberry flavor, IMO.
Skotrat brewed an Oatzen last year that was all-Clusters, and that beer was fantastic! |
Paul Erbe
Senior Member
Username: Perbe
Post Number: 1016
Registered: 05-2001
Posted From: 64.233.251.195
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 09:19 pm: |
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I would consider some 6 row in a all clusters beer. |
Geoff Buschur
Senior Member
Username: Avmech
Post Number: 1547
Registered: 06-2004
Posted From: 66.141.186.196
| | Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 03:43 am: |
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Here is the recipe for the all Cluster beer I am drinking right now:
Batch Size (Gal): 12.00 Wort Size (Gal): 12.00
Anticipated IBU: 35.3
Brewhouse Efficiency: 70 %
Wort Boil Time: 90 Minutes
34.1 7.50 lbs. Pilsener Malt(2-Row) Continental Eu 1.035 1
65.9 14.50 lbs. Pale Malt(2-row) Great Britain 1.038 3
1.50 oz. Cluster Pellet 5.80 10.8 First WH
2.00 oz. Cluster Pellet 5.80 20.7 60 min.
1.00 oz. Cluster Pellet 5.80 3.8 10 min.
1.50 oz. Cluster Whole 7.00 0.0 0 min. |
Mike G.
Member
Username: Mikeg
Post Number: 237
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 64.68.169.121
| | Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 10:08 pm: |
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Hey, thanks everyone.
I do believe I will brew a cluster-only beer, based on the collective's experience. I will post in about 2-3 months with an update. |
Kevin Kowalczyk
Member
Username: Itsfunbrewingbeer
Post Number: 115
Registered: 10-2007
Posted From: 12.165.82.136
| | Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 10:11 pm: |
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If it turns out bad, you can call it Clusterf*ck Lager. |
Robert
Member
Username: Okierat
Post Number: 153
Registered: 05-2003
Posted From: 32.97.110.142
| | Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 10:49 pm: |
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Thank you Kevin for making my day. That has to be the funniest thing I have seen in a while!!!  |
Brews and Views Archive 2008 
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