Paulager

I got tired of being confined to what the box kits had to offer. This recipe takes some time and extra care, but the final product is well worth it. If you like a hoppy amber lager you will love this one. Even people who do not like beer like this one.

Brewer:	Paul Hayes		Email:	paulhayes@wavecable.com
Beer:	Paulager		Style:	American Premium Lager
Type:	Extract		Size:	5.5 gallons
Color:	20 HCU (~12 SRM)		Bitterness:	55 IBU
OG:	1.054		FG:	1.050
Alcohol:	0.5% v/v (0.4% w/w)
Water:	I use 6 gallons of Premium drinking water. During the boil I added 1 Table Spoon of Irish Moss. I filter the wort into a plastic fermenter adding 3 gallons of cold drinking water to cool the wort faster. The wort is aerated during cooling process. After the wort cools to 70 degrees I transfer it to a glass carboy and add the lager yeast.
Boil:	60 minutes	SG 1.099	3 gallons
	8 lb. Amber malt extract
	Irish Moss is added the last 10 minutes of the boil. If you are adding steeped grains do it at 30 minutes.
Hops:	3 oz. Cascade (6% AA, 60 min.) 3 oz. Cascade (6% AA, 15 min.)
Yeast:	American Lager liquid yeast. I have also used Munich Lager yeast when the other was not available. It makes very well.
Log:	The first stage of fermentation lasts 7-10 days AT 50-55 degrees. I always brew lager in the cooler months so I can keep it in my spare room. Make sure when you transfer to the secondary fermenter you get as little of the yeast as possible. I generally lose about 1/2 gallon trying to get just the clean beer. Leaving to much yeast will make it taste bitter. Secondary fermentation lasts around 2 weeks. Generally waiting for no more bubbles in the airlock and having a nice clear amber to dark amber color. Rack the beer at around the 4 week point. I prefer 12oz bottles, just seems to work better for this style of beer. Depending on how much carbonation you like take 3 to 4 cups of the beer and boil it for 5 minutes with 1-1 1/2 cups of corn sugar. Lager the beer for 2 to 3 weeks at around 45 degrees. An extra refrigerator comes in very handy for the last step.
Carbonation:	2.6 volumes	Corn Sugar: 4.06 oz. for 5 gallons @ 55°F
Tasting:	The lager has a very clean and crisp taste. It is a more hoppy beer than most commercial lagers, but that is what I like. If you do not like a hoppy (if you are not a hophead) tasting beer use less hops. If you like Black and Tan's this is an awesome beer to use. I will post my recipe for a Chocolate Stout that just goes great with making B&T's. I use this recipe to add other things to see how they come out. But, the basic recipe is the best. It is a beer that you can sit around and enjoy all night.

Recipe posted 02/24/09.