'Ale' lager recipe

[harvs]

OK, this might sound really daft.....

I've done a couple of AG brews, which have gone well. SWMBO likes them but would probably prefer something a little more lager like (she really likes Czech beers like staropramen). I've done some searching about doing AG lagers, but it looks like it's a bit complicated to do them properly (low temps ets).

So, my question is, is it possible to brew something which tastes a little like lager, but done with the ale methods / ale yeast etc?

I'm guessing the answer is - don't be silly, you can't brew lager by brewing ale . But does anyone have any recipes for really light ales which may have a very small hint of staropramen?!

Cheers
Harvs

[Whorst]

Use lager malt and a German variety of hop. Ferment at 60F. with Safale-05. Be sure your water is up to it. High carbonate water will be difficult to get into the appropriate mash pH range with a grist of just lager malt.

[jubby]

You could try an Oakham Ales recipe. Pretty much like American Pale Ale. Might be worth buying a bottle of JHB and Bishops Farewell to try. If she likes it, the recipe's are on here somewhere or I can let you have them. I brew these regularly, they are always popular with lager drinkers and in my opinion, can withstand higher carbonation levels if you like it fizzy.

[NickK]

The stuff I did last was a GP/MO 50/50, acid malt, low ABV and used lots of challenger/late small amount of bramling cross, IIRC #1028 , ferment completely but I used too much acid malt.. tasted like Becks, so the drain got it.

[harvs]

Great, thanks guys - that's given me some ideas.

Might go for a recipe along the lines of....

For 23l, 70% efficiency
Grain
Lager malt 4.300 kg
Munich malt 0.500 kg
Wheat malt 0.300 kg
Acid malt 0.150 kg
Hops
Challenger 35 g 90 min
Saaz 70 g 15 min
Yeast
Safale US 05

Maybe use 150g of priming sugar to give additional fizz.

Just need to sort out the diary to get a brew evening booked in. As it's for SWMBO I'm hoping it shouldn't be too difficult!

[NickK]

I think the important bit is attempting to get the drop down to a low gravity to give it a crisp taste.

Oddly I had a bottle of Leffe last night.. tasted like my first Wordfordes Wherry kit with tap water making it like TCP.. not impressed.

[harvs]

Many thanks guys

Will built those comments into my plan too