Dark Lager Homebrew recipe

dark lagerI’ve been wanting to brew a dark lager for a while, and I finally got some Midnight Wheat malt to give it a try. Supposedly, the midnight wheat malt adds the dark flavor while contributing very little – to no – roastiness or dark bitterness.

Dark Lager

2-C International Dark Lager
Date: 7/17/20

 

Size: 5.36 gal
Efficiency: 75.0%
Attenuation: 75.0%
Calories: 184.01 kcal per 12.0 fl oz

Original Gravity: 1.055 (1.044 – 1.056)
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Terminal Gravity: 1.014 (1.008 – 1.012)
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Color: 21.33 SRM (14.0 – 22.0)
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Alcohol: 5.44% (4.2% – 6.0%)
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Bitterness: 8.2 (8.0 – 20.0)
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Ingredients:

3 lb (37.5%) CBW® Golden Light Powder (Dry Malt Extract) – added during boil
.5 lb (6.3%) Midnight Wheat Malt – added during mash
4 lb (50.0%) Corn Sugar – added during mash
.5 lb (6.3%) Honey – added during mash
.6 oz (60.0%) Tettnanger (3.8%) – added during boil, boiled 45 m
5 tsp Yeast Nutrient (AKA Fermax) – added during boil, boiled 15 m
2.5 tsp Yeast Energizer – added during boil, boiled 15 m
1 tsp Irish Moss – added during boil, boiled 15 m
.4 oz (40.0%) Saaz (5.0%) – added during boil, boiled 5 m
0.0 ea Omega Yeast Labs OYL-114 Bayern Lager

Schedule:

Fermented in the fridge around 45F for about a month.
Did a diacetyl rest at 68F for about 4 days.

Notes

16 brix starting gravity – 1.068
Final gravity 1.008

It was a very good beer, but the Midnight Wheat malt added a bit more roastiness than I was hoping for. I’ll continue the hunt for a malt that adds the dark color, but none of the roasty flavors that come with it.

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