The goal here was to make a lighter colored beer than I have been doing. I’ve attempted light beers in the past, but the LME always darkens it more that it’s supposed to. This, of course, happens when you use LME. So I cut it out of my recipe, using only grain malts of the lighter variety. The result is a nicely light colored Pilsen Ale. As you can tell from the name, this is not a lager. You can also see by the yeast and hops used, it is not really German, Czech, or European either. It’s more of a Classic American Pilsner, though using ale yeast, Cascade hops, and omitting flaked maze tends to put it slightly out of this category. Oh well.
This beer has a nice yellow color with a very satisfying white head to it. it is a little astringent that is made up for by its aroma. The aroma is slightly flowery with a citrusy grapefruit overtone. The mouthfeel is light in body with a complementary carbonation level. The bitterness sits on your tongue after the beer has gone. There is a slight dryness to the beer, but not at all unpleasant.
To recap, this is a Pilsen Ale that really is not a Pilsner. It is an ale that is light in color, has a good balance of maltiness, bitterness, and aroma, leaning towards bitter, has a nice thick white head, and is light in body. Overall a pleasant beer to drink.
Pilsen Ale
OG: 1.041
FG: 1.008
ABV: 4.4%
SRM: 6
7.8 lb. Pilsen Malt
1.45 Vienna Malt
.4 oz Northern Brewer (10.1% aa @ 60 minutes)
.5 oz. Cascade (9% aa @ 30 minutes)
.5 oz. Cascade (5.4% aa @ 10 minutes)
1 tsp. Irish Moss @ 15 minutes
Fermentis Safale US-05 Yeast
