Pilsner Urquell Recipe

[moorsd]

Hi Everyone!

I'm looking to brew a lager for my next batch....in anticipation for those hot summer BBQ's (Well we can only hope!!!)

I was looking through the Dave Lines book and saw a recipe for Pilsner Urquell, and since this is one of my fav's, I was wondering if anyone has tried it...or has had and experience with it, ie given the correct conditions, does it taste like the real thing???

Suppose the trouble with lager is that it is more down to the subtle differences like yeast, water, and fermenting conditions etc...thought I'd ask the question anyway!

[deadlydes]

i have done this recently and it was fantastic! pretty much like the real thing
i used saflager yeast
i bottled it for the carbonation and the ease of putting it in the fridge to chil
i kept it for 2 weeks before sampling, and it was all gone by the end of the 4th week, went down well with the boys aswell!
i can dig out my exact brew schedual if your interested?

[moorsd]

Great thanks for the feedback Deadlydes!

I'm using Wyeast Czech Pilsner yeast (although I notice they do a Urquell strain from some info I have, I'll have to see if I can get some next time!!)

I'll be fermenting/Lagering it in a fridge once the temperature controller arrives....must be patient now!! :huh:

Must admit, most of my mates only drink lager and won't touch the bitter I make, which is part of the reason I'm doing the Urquell clone this time! It'll be interesting if they realise they're drinking homebrew during those summer BBQ sessions!

[James]

Nice yeast mate! Good choice. Nice to see 'proper' use of lager yeast and a fridge. Best of luck.

If you have very soft water, this is a bonus for making a PU, as the water is very soft/mineral free. If you have an aquatics shop nearby, they may stock RO water, this is really soft, and virtually devoid of all minerals; ideal for making a pilsner. 25 litre will probably cost you £2 or so, money well spent I reckon. I'd use a 1/4 tap > 3/4 RO split with some yeast nutrient thrown in for good luck. Hope that helps.

Dont forget a starter!

JC

[moorsd]

Thanks for the tips James!

My water is 'Moderately Hard' which is made up of mostly temporary hardness. I either boil the water, and once cool rack it from the chalky sediment, or for those impatient moments...use Brupaks CRS! Either way the resulting water is pretty soft which should be ok for lager brewing?!

Must admit never thought of going to an aquatic shop, I have an aquarium so will enquire if they do this RO water next time I have to get something!

I'm going to use acid malt so no brewing salts will need to be added...basically the plan is to try and get as close to the correct conditions as possible to get a fine tasting lager for those summer months....with the added benefit of giving my mates no other option but to admit they can't taste the difference

[James]

No probs.

"basically the plan is to try and get as close to the correct conditions as possible to get a fine tasting lager for those summer months"

Pilsner is pretty uniqe in the water that is uses, no only is is soft, but it is very devoid of minerals/salts, this is the important thing, and what RO water will give you (I doubt if bottle would do the job). If your aquatics shop has marines, they probably use RO water. I reckon it would be worth the extra aggro of getting it, as it looks like you have already spent time/effort/money on lots of the other kit that you need to brew a really nice pilsner. Good luck, it should turn out great.

JC

[deadlydes]

I just used the water from my undersink water filter and the result was pretty much the same as the commercial version

[Swiller]

Any chance of the recipe please?