Well today I did my first Lager and it seemed to go well. If I had to put the recipe into a style category I would probably say American Lager (due to the color,slightly over hopped, high OG). I was going to do the B3 Helles recipe but used:

20 lb Belgian Pilsner
2 lb 40L Crystal (lowest L I had)
1 lb Carapils

2 oz Northern Brewer (60)
2 oz Hallertauer (5)
2 oz Hallertauer (0)

Wyeast 2124 Bohem Lager


I undershot my temps so I ended up doing a double decoction since I was already at protein rest temps. I didnt make my temps due to f'in around with the pump and lost some temp from down time.

I fly sparged with pump assist to get the wort into the kettle. I didnt lift a damn thing this time due to the use of the pump and I am so fucking happy about that. I heated all my strike water in the kettle , dumped all the grain into the Mashtun and pumped the water into the MT for dough-in. I then heated up all the sparge water and pumped it up to the HLT before doing my double decoction. I really like having the pump up and running but the QD'd hoses I put together made it all worth the effort.

I havent pitched yet since I am doing this one cold and the next one warm to compare the methods.

HH

Aint it GREAT not having move heavy containers of HOT water around? Glad that pump is working out for ya, and I can't wait for the results of your "warm/cold" pitching test.

Let us know how it goes.

Rob

Speyedr , I express how satisfying it was to finally get through a brew session that I didnt worry about screwing up my back lifting the 160°F 1/2 bbl with 12 gallons of wort in it. I still have to lug the 1/2bbl fermenter back into the house but I rigged up a makeshift hand-truck for that.

HH

Given that malt and hop bill, you'd have about 1.069 OG, and around 35 IBU's, so it's a nicely balanced beer that should be in style for taste, but a lil high on the gravity and total bitterness, but they are in proper proportion IMHO. That's what makes this hobby so great, even the lil mistakes make for some good beer anyway! Ttyal, and ilbcnu!

Prost!

Michel