Vienna Lager NHC08

Category 3: European Amber Lager

2008 AHA National Homebrew Competition Gold Medal

Sponsored by How to Brew by John Palmer
Jim Maurer, Aurora, CO, Vienna Lager

Untitled

Vienna Lager

Ingredients for 3 U.S. gallons (11.36 liters)

4.5       lb (2.04 kg) Vienna malt

0.5       lb (113 g) melanoidin malt

2.0       oz (57 g) debittered black malt

0.25    oz (7 g) Premiant pellet hops, 8% alpha acid (90 min.)

0.25    oz (7 g) Hallertauer whole hops, 4% alpha acid (40 min.)

White Labs WLP 830 German lager yeast (600 mL starter)

1.5       oz (45 g) dextrose to carbonate

1.0       tablet Whirlfloc

2.5       g gypsum (water treatment)

0.5       g chalk (water treatment)

Original Specific Gravity: 1.046

Final Specific Gravity: 1.012

Boiling Time: 90 minutes

Primary Fermentation: 14 days at 48° F (9° C) in glass

Secondary Fermentation: 14 days at 42° F (6° C) in glass

Tertiary Fermentation: 42 days at 34° F (1° C) in glass

Directions

Mash grains at 149° F (65° C) for 75 minutes. Add black malt during sparge.

Judges' Comments

"Nice beer."

"Excellent balance. Malt predominates, but finish is not sweet. I could drink this all afternoon."