Celebrate the world-famous Oktoberfest festival with your own homemade Oktoberfest Lager Recipe! This delicious lager is brewed traditionally in spring, then lagered in cold cellars or caves over the summer, and finally served in autumn. With its rich maltiness and smooth finish, this beer is sure to impress your friends and family.
Oktoberfest
Equipment
- 1 Large pot for boiling
- 1 Thermometer
- 1 Hydrometer
- 1 Strainer
- 1 Fermenting vessel
- 1 Airlock and stopper
- 1 Bottles or keg for storage
- 1 Wort chiller (optional)
- 1 Mash tun (optional)
- 1 Oxygenation system (optional)
- 1 pH meter (optional)
Ingredients
For the Mash – Liquor 21 Litres (21 Pints) – Mash Time 1 hr – Temperature 65°C (149°F)
- 8 lb Vienna malt Quantity 4 kg
- 1 lb Munich malt Quantity 800 g
- 1 lb Carapils Quantity 750 g
- 3 1/2 oz Crystal malt Quantity 100 g
For the Boil – X Litres (X Pints) – Boil Time 1 hr – 15 mins
- 1 oz (Hops) When to add – At start of boil (IBU 23.1)
- 1/4 oz (Hops) When to add – For last 30 mins of boil (IBU 2.1)
- 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 White Labs WLP820 Oktoberfest Yeast
Instructions
- Heat the 21 liters of water to 65°C (149°F) in a large pot.
- Add the Vienna malt, Munich malt, Carapils, and Crystal malt to the water and stir until they are fully submerged.
- Maintain the temperature at 65°C (149°F) and let the grains steep for 1 hour.
- Strain the liquid from the grains and discard the spent grains.
- Bring the liquid to a boil and add the hops at the start of the boil.
- Boil for 45 minutes, then add the second addition of hops and Protofloc and boil for another 30 minutes.
- After boiling, cool the liquid to 12°C (54°F) using an ice bath or a wort chiller.
- Transfer the cooled liquid to a sanitized fermenting vessel and add the White Labs WLP820 Oktoberfest yeast.
- Seal the fermenting vessel with an airlock and stopper and store it at 12°C (54°F) for 4 weeks.
- After 4 weeks, transfer the beer to a sanitized bottling bucket or keg and store it for an additional week at 3°C (37°F) for conditioning.
- Carbonate the beer if desired and serve chilled.
| Makes 🍻 | Ready to Drink 🍺 | Estimated ABV | Bitterness Rating | Color Rating |
| 23 Litres (40 Pints) | 5 Weeks | 5.3% | 25.2 IBU | 13.6 EBC |
Rich Maltiness and Smooth Finish
This Oktoberfest Lager recipe uses a combination of Vienna, Munich, Carapils, and Crystal malts to create a rich, malty flavor profile that is characteristic of traditional Oktoberfest Lagers. The lagering process also contributes to a smooth and clean finish, making it a great beer to enjoy with friends and family.
Easy to Make
While brewing beer may seem daunting, this recipe is actually quite easy to follow. With just a few pieces of equipment and some basic brewing knowledge, you can create your own delicious Oktoberfest Lager right at home.
Impress Your Friends and Family
There’s something special about sharing a beer that you’ve brewed yourself with loved ones. With its complex flavor profile and beautiful amber color, this Oktoberfest Lager is sure to impress anyone who tries it.
Perfect for Fall Celebrations
As the weather starts to cool down and leaves begin to change, there’s no better time to enjoy a crisp, refreshing beer. This Oktoberfest Lager is the perfect brew to enjoy during fall celebrations, whether you’re hosting your own Oktoberfest party or just relaxing with friends and family.
FAQ on Making this Oktoberfest Lager Recipe
What malts are used in this Oktoberfest Lager recipe?
The recipe calls for Vienna, Munich, Carapils, and Crystal malts.
What type of hops are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses one ounce of hops added at the start of the boil, and 1/4 ounce of hops added for the last 30 minutes of the boil.
What is the fermentation temperature for this beer?
The beer should be fermented at 12°C (54°F).
How long does it take to ferment and condition this beer?
The beer should be fermented for four weeks, then conditioned for an additional week at 3°C (37°F).
What type of yeast is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for White Labs WLP820 Oktoberfest yeast.
What is the estimated ABV of this beer?
The estimated ABV is 5.3%.
What is the bitterness rating of this beer?
The bitterness rating is 25.2 IBU.
What is the color rating of this beer?
The color rating is 13.6 EBC.
How long does it take to make this beer?
The total time from prep to ready-to-drink is 5 weeks, with 1 hour of prep time and 1 hour and 15 minutes of cook time.
What is the expected flavor profile of this beer?
This beer is characterized by a rich maltiness and smooth finish, with a full-bodied flavor profile that is perfect for fall celebrations.
