Czech Pilsner - February 2024 Brew

Brewer’s Notes
This recipe is my first attempt at re-creating a traditional central European style pilsner. I am extremely pleased with how it turned out for a first try. There are a few subtle changes I am looking to make, but am keen to see what you think before I start making changes to the recipe.

The grain bill includes both German and Canadian pilsner malts, yielding a pale yet full bodied beer boasting malty and biscuit tones on the palate. Using whole leaf hop varieties locally grown here in Russell, ON, I chose varieties native to Germany and the Czech Republic to give this lager its crisp flavor and lingering well rounded bitterness, which compliments the malty flavor and suits a central European traditional pilsner profile. Using Labrador spring water and tweaking the base water profile through the addition of various mineral salts (gypsum, chalk, epsom salts), I’ve managed to bring the water characteristics very close to the profile needed for this style. Fermented using a Czech style lager yeast, this beer is unfiltered and includes a rich, true flavor profile that is not commercially available in lagered beers.

This beer is my first attempt at a full 2BBL (315 liter) sized brew that’s been fermented in newly acquired commercial fermentation equipment. I hope you enjoy this beer and take the time to provide your true honest feedback. Looking forward to making this beer even better, based on your preference and input!

Cheers

Style Origins
A pilsner is a type of pale lager, which is a beer that is fermented at cooler temperatures (typically less than 15C), and is cold conditioned as part of the aging process. The style denoted by the term pilsner takes its name from the Bohemian city of Plzeň, situated in the Czech Republic, where the world's first pale lager was produced in 1842 by the Pilsner Urquell Brewery. In this region, the local water aquifer is extremely soft and free of hard minerals, which has become a key parameter of a pilsner style beer.

Craft Brew Profile
Style: Traditional Czech Pilsner
IBU: 28.7
SRM: 11.8
Alc. By Vol: 5.7%
Grains: German Pilsner Malt, Vienna Malt, Canadian Pilsner Malt, Canadian 2-Row Pale Malt
Hops: German Hallertauer Magnum, Czech Saaz
Water: Labrador Spring Water
Yeast: Czech Budejovice Lager