Fast as Helles

Drew Beechum

You, too, can brew a quaffable, enjoyable, malt-forward lager beer—in relatively short order.

ALL-GRAIN

Batch size: 5.5 gallons (21 liters)

Brewhouse efficiency: 72% OG: 1.049

FG: 1.008

IBUS: 21

ABV: 5%

MALT/GRAIN BILL

9.5 lb (4.3 kg) German pilsner 8 oz (227 g) Weyermann Carahell

HOPS SCHEDULE

0.25 oz (7 g) Magnum [12% AA] at

60 minutes

1 oz (28 g) Willamette [4.5% AA] at

30 minutes

YEAST

Fermentis Saflager W-34/70

DIRECTIONS

Mill the grains and mash at 153°F (67°C) for 60 minutes. Raise the temperature to 168°F (76°C) for 10 minutes and mash out. Vorlauf until the runnings are clear, then run off into the kettle. Sparge the grains and top up as necessary to obtain 6 gallons (23 liters) of wort—or more, depending on your evaporation rate. Boil 90 minutes, following the hops schedule. After the boil, chill to 50°F (10°C); make sure the beer is at temperature before pitching the yeast. Ferment at 50°F (10°C) for 3 days; raise the temperature to 55°F (13°C) and ferment for 3 more days; raise the temperature to 60°F (16°C) and ferment 2 more days; raise the temperature to 65°F (18°C) and ferment 2 more days. Check the beer’s gravity and, if ready, proceed to packaging. If not, allow to sit 2 more days and check again.

BREWER’S NOTES

Use low-mineral water—ensure at least 50ppm of calcium to convert the mash correctly. I prefer to add a little calcium chloride to add “fullness” to the beer. Keep the chloride above the sulfate. To achieve ultra-clarity, use gelatin (or another fining agent) to clarify before packaging.