Dark American Lager NHC06

Category 4: Dark Lager

Gold Medal NHC 2006

Sponsored by: Briess Malt & Ingredients Company

Jonathan Plise, Concord, Calif., Dark American Lager, Diablo Order of Zymiracle Enthusiasts (DOZE)

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Dark American Lager

Ingredients for 10 U.S. gallons (38 liters)

12.0     lb (5.44 kg) British pale malt

6.0       lb (2.72 kg) German Munich malt

1.0       lb (0.45 kg) honey

1.0       lb (0.45 kg) aromatic malt

0.5       lb (227 g) chocolate malt

1.0       oz (28 g) Hallertau hops, 4.2% alpha acid (60 min.)

2.0       oz (56 g) Hallertau hops, 4.2% alpha acid (1 min.)

2000    mL White Labs WLP 833 German Bock lager yeast starter

Servomyces yeast nutrient

Forced CO₂ to carbonate (2.2 to 2.5 vol.)

Original Specific Gravity: 1.045

Final Specific Gravity: 1.012

Boiling Time: 90 minutes

Primary Fermentation: 21 days at 56-60° F (13-16° C) in steel

Secondary Fermentation: 14 days at 40° F (4° C) in steel

Directions

Mash grains at 155° F (68° C) for 120 minutes. Re-circ for 15 minutes, then sparge for 60 minutes.

Judges' Comments

"Appropriate malt flavors up front, no hops, some caramel hints. Very nice beer."

"Light, crisp malt sweetness. Some low chocolate, finishes very cleanly. The hop presence is low, but adds to the complexity. I like this beer very much."