Hey, it’s not every day that you see the birth of a new beer style. Mike took what he learned from the Jar of Destiny American Light Lager experience and created a new American Homebrew Lager. Learn more as we discuss the beer’s conception to tasting, exploring how he aimed to elevate the classic American lager into something uniquely crafted at home.
The Recipe
Mike set out to build upon the foundation of an American light lager, aiming for a crisp, refreshing brew with a subtle yet distinctive hop character. His recipe, the “American Homebrew Lager,” centered around simplicity and quality ingredients.
Grains:
50% Briess two-row Brewers malt
50% American Pilsner malt
4 oz Aromatic malt (for background and head retention)
Hops:
1 oz Willamette at 60 minutes
1 oz Willamette at whirlpool (10 minutes)
Yeast:
NovaLager yeast (repitch)
Results:
Starting at 1.050 and finishing at 1.009, our American Homebrew Lager achieved a balanced ABV of around 5.5%, characteristic of the style.
American Homebrew Lager Tasting Notes
Right of the first sip, this beer revealed a pronounced hop expression. The Willamette hops provided a subtle herbal and minty zing, adding a refreshing complexity that lingered pleasantly with each sip. The beer maintained excellent head retention and a clean, bright appearance, though we noted it could benefit from further conditioning for optimal clarity.
Compared to the American light lager, our style with homebrewer sensibilities showcased a more assertive hop profile while retaining the light, crisp body ideal for warm weather enjoyment. The use of NovaLager yeast contributed to a neutral flavor profile, allowing the hop character to shine through.
Crafting the American Homebrew Lager is an exploration into elevating a classic style with modern techniques and ingredients. We hope to highlight the accessibility of brewing lagers at home, thanks to advancements in yeast strains that don’t need strict fermentation control.
Embrace the new style and remember to make it your own.
Brew on!
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