Are you looking to brew a delicious beer at home? Try this recipe for a Dark American Lager that’s sure to impress. With a smooth flavor and crisp finish, this beer is perfect for enjoying or pairing with your favorite foods. Follow these easy steps to create your batch of Dark American Lager and enjoy a refreshing drink anytime.
Dark American Lager Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large pot for the boil
- 1 Mash tun (or large kettle) to mash the grains
- 1 Thermometer
- 1 Hydrometer
- 1 Fermenter
- 1 Fermenter
- 1 Bottling bucket
- 1 Bottles and caps
Materials
For the Mash – Liquor 14 Litres (24 1/2 Pints) – Mash Time 1 hr – Temperature 65 C – 149 F
- 7.13 lbs Pilsner Malt Quantity 3.54kg
- 1.11 lbs Munich Malt Quantity 766g
- 1.9 lbs Flaked Maize Quantity 709g
- 10 1/2 Oz Special B Quantity 300g
- 5 1/3 Oz Medium Crystal Malth Quantity 153g
- 1 3/4 Oz Carafa Special lll Malth Quantity 50g
For the Boil – 27 Litres (47 1/2 Pints) – Boil Time 1 hr – 15 mins
- 3/4 Oz Northern Brewer 8% When to Add – At start of boil (ibu 18.9)
- 1/4 Oz Perle 8% When to Add – For Last 1 min of Boil (ibu 0.2)
- 1/3 Oz Hallertauer Hersbrucker 3.5% When to Add – At turn Off (ibu 0)
- 1 tsp Protofloc Other – When To Add – For Last 15 Mins Of Boil
To Ferment – 12° C (54°F) – Conditioning 4 weeks at 3° C (37°F)
- 1 Wyeast 2124 Bohemian Yeast
Instructions
- Start by heating 14 litres (24 1/2 pints) of water to 65°C (149°F) in a large kettle or mash tun. This will be used for the mash.
- Add all of the grains (Pilsner Malt, Munich Malt, Flaked Maize, Special B, Medium Crystal Malt, and Carafa Special III Malt) to the mash tun and stir well to combine.
- Allow the grains to mash for 1 hour at a temperature of 65°C (149°F).
- After 1 hour, carefully remove the grains from the mash tun and sparge with hot water to extract all the sugars from the grains. Collect the wort in the large pot for the boil.
- Bring the wort to a boil and add 3/4 Oz Northern Brewer 8% hops at the start of the boil. Boil for 45 minutes.
- After 45 minutes, add 1 tsp Protofloc and boil for an additional 15 minutes.
- Add 1/4 Oz Perle 8% hops during the last minute of the boil.
- At the end of the boil, turn off the heat and add 1/3 Oz Hallertauer Hersbrucker 3.5% hops. Let the wort cool to 12°C (54°F).
- Transfer the cooled wort to a fermenter and pitch 1 Wyeast 2124 Bohemian Yeast. Ferment at 12°C (54°F) for 28 days.
- After 28 days, transfer the beer to a bottling bucket and prime with sugar. Bottle the beer and condition for 4 weeks at 3°C (37°F) before enjoying your delicious Dark American Lager.
Notes
Mashing
- Heat 14 liters (24 1/2 pints) of water to 65°C (149°F) in a large kettle or mash tun.
- Combine all the grains in the mash tun and stir well to combine.
- Allow the grains to mash for 1 hour at a temperature of 65°C (149°F).
- Carefully remove the grains from the mash tun and sparge with hot water to extract all the sugars from the grains.
Boiling
- Bring the wort to a boil and add 3/4 Oz Northern Brewer 8% hops at the start of the spot. Boil for 45 minutes.
- After 45 minutes, add 1 tsp Protofloc and boil for 15 minutes.
- Add 1/4 Oz Perle 8% hops during the last minute of the boil.
- Turn off the heat and add 1/3 Oz Hallertauer Hersbrucker 3.5% hops. Let the wort cool to 12°C (54°F).
Fermentation and Conditioning
- Transfer the cooled wort to a fermenter and pitch 1 Wyeast 2124 Bohemian Yeast.
- Ferment at 12°C (54°F) for 28 days.
- After 28 days, transfer the beer to a bottling bucket and prime it with sugar.
- Bottle the beer and condition it for four weeks at three °C (37°F) before enjoying your delicious Dark American Lager.
- Make sure to sanitize all your equipment before and after brewing to avoid contamination.
- Use a hydrometer to measure the specific gravity of the wort before and after fermentation to ensure proper fermentation.
- Be patient and allow the beer to condition for four weeks to ensure optimal flavor and carbonation.
- Experiment with different water profiles and brewing techniques to create your unique twist on this recipe.
| Makes 🍻 | Ready to Drink 🍺 | Estimated ABV | Bitterness Rating | Color Rating |
| 23 Litres (40 Pints) | 5 Weeks | 5.5% | 19 IBU | 7.4 EBC |
Why try this Dark American Lager recipe?
- Delicious Flavor: The combination of Pilsner Malt, Munich Malt, Flaked Maize, and a selection of hops creates a smooth and flavorful beer with a crisp finish that’s sure to impress.
- Easy-to-Follow: This recipe is straightforward, making it an excellent choice for homebrewers of any skill level.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: This Dark American Lager is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a refreshing drink on a hot summer day or a delicious beer to pair with your favorite foods.
- Customizable: While this recipe is delicious, it can also be customized to suit your preferences by experimenting with different hop varieties or water profiles.
Overall, this Dark American Lager recipe is a great place to start if you want to try brewing a delicious beer at home.
FAQ on Making this Dark American Larger Recipe
What types of hops are used in this recipe?
Hersbrucker, Perle, Northern Brewer, and Hallertauer Hersbrucker hops are used in this recipe.
How long does the fermentation process take?
The fermentation process takes 28 days.
Can I use a different type of yeast instead of Wyeast 2124 Bohemian?
Yes, you can use a different type of yeast, but it will affect the flavor and aroma of the beer.
How many bottles of beer does this recipe yield?
The recipe yields 40 pints or approximately 5 gallons of beer.
What is the ideal temperature for conditioning the beer?
The ideal temperature for conditioning the beer is three °C (37°F).
Can I substitute any of the malt varieties with others?
Yes, you can substitute malt varieties, but it will affect the flavor and aroma of the beer.
Is it necessary to use Protofloc in the boil?
Using Protofloc in the boil is unnecessary, but it can help clarify the beer.
How long should I let the beer condition in the bottle before drinking?
It would be best if you let the beer in the bottle for four weeks before drinking.
Can I use a different type of malt extract instead of Pilsner Malt?
Yes, you can use a different type of malt extract, but it will affect the flavor and aroma of the beer.
How long does it take to cool the wort after boiling?
The time it takes to cool the wort after boiling will depend on the method used. A wort chiller can cool the wort in about 20-30 minutes.
What is the recommended carbonation level for this beer?
The recommended carbonation level for this beer is not specified in the recipe.
Can I dry-hop this beer during fermentation?
It is not recommended to dry hop this beer during fermentation.
How important is the water profile in this recipe?
The water profile is essential in this recipe as it can affect the flavor and aroma of the beer.
Can I use a different type of sugar for priming instead of regular sugar?
Yes, you can use a different type of sugar for primings, such as honey or maple syrup.
How do I adjust the pH of the water for this recipe?
You can adjust the pH of the water using acidulated malt or by adding food-grade acid.
What food pairings would complement this beer?
This beer would pair well with grilled meats, burgers, pizza, and spicy foods.
How long can I store this beer before it goes wrong?
This beer can be stored in a cool, dark place for several months before it loses its flavor and aroma.
