Bavarian Lager

Next up is a Bavarian Lager.  I brewed it on 1/19/11.  This recipe is from Mr. Beer, called Prince Ludwig Lager, and I followed the directions pretty close.

RECIPE INCLUDES:
1 Can Octoberfest Vienna Lager HME
1 Can Whispering Wheat Weizenbier HME
2 Packets Dry Brewing Yeast
1 Packet Saaz Pellet Hops (only used 1/4oz and froze the rest for later use)

I plan on letting it ferment for about 3 weeks and will keep you updated on the progress...

So we had a brew night, 2/11/2011.  We bottled the Bavarian Lager and started the next brew as well.  I added 2.25oz of corn sugar to the beer before bottling so it would be evenly distributed (opposed to adding sugar to each beer). 

Tried the first one this past weekend, and overall it was pretty good.  You can smell the wheat in the beer before but has a good finish. 

My first brew!!

So here is my first attempt at brewing...

I start with the basics, a Mr. Beer kit, the standard pale ale, and no idea what I was doing.  Lucky for me, I have friends that are a few brews ahead of me and good instructions.  Followed the directions to the tee so no deviation on this one.

I let it ferment for 15 days and bottled the beer.  We collected glass bottles (pry off) to use for the beer.  Ran them through the dishwasher and started bottling.  A little sugar in each bottle for carbonation and let it sit AGAIN.

I tried my first beer 5 days after bottling, mostly because I couldn't wait any longer.  My first impression was, Holy shit I didn't completely mess this up!  It needed a bit more carbonation, a few more days to sit, but overall it was good.  A very crisp taste, some people said a slight sweet taste, but very drinkable.  It tastes much better if you use a glass and leave the butt of the beer in the bottle, there is a lot of sediment that settles at the bottom.  If you try to pour it more than once you will get that in your glass giving it a yeasty, "homebrew" taste.  Overall, very simple, but a good introduction to the process.