Brewing a New Zealand Pilsner with Pagan Brewing's Guidelines
The Brewer: Cheyne Harvey, a Quirky Homebrewer
Meet Cheyne Harvey, a homebrewing enthusiast who got roped into the hobby in 2019 by a co-worker's generous hand-me-downs. Fast-forward a few years, and he's found himself competing against craft breweries across the country and even bagging some hardware from the UK and Scotland. Cheyne prefers British styles but admits that he enjoys venturing into various other brews.
The Beer: His Kiwi-Laced Pilsner
Inspired by some New Zealand hops in his freezer, Cheyne whipped up a pilsner recipe involving a simple grain bill (75% Pilsner malt, 25% Wheat malt) and a mix of hops, one of which being the novelty Nectaron. The resulting beer, a hoppy lager, turned out to be a refreshing drink perfect for warm afternoons.
The Recipe: Whakapapa Pilsner
INGREDIENTS
- GRAIN
- 7.75 lbs Weyermann Pilsner Malt
- 2.5 lbs Weyermann Wheat Malt
- HOPS
- Boil hops: 0.45 oz Pacific Jade - 0:60 min
- Boil hops: 0.33 oz Motueka - 0:30 min
- Boil hops: 0.4 oz Nelson - 0:15 min
- Boil hops: 0.45 oz Motueka - 0:05 min
- Boil hops: 0.5 oz Motueka - 0:05 min
- Boil hops: 1.25 oz Nelson - 0:20 min whirlpool
- Yeast
- SafLager 34/70
INSTRUCTIONS
- Batch Size: 5 gal
- OG: 1.052
- FG: 1.010
- IBU: 39
- ABV: 5.5%
- EFFICIENCY: 71%
- FERMENTATION: 50o F - 5 Days, 60o F - 8 Days, 45o F - 3 Days, 35o F - 2 Days
Bonus: Brush Up on All Things Pilsner Beer
What Is Pilsner Beer?
Pilsner beer is a globally popular style of pale lager, famous for its light and refreshing taste. Like a perfume sprite for your palate, it's crystal clear, bubbly, and delightful!
Pilsner's Characteristics
- Light golden color
- Mild flavor
- Slight hop aroma
- Crisp, dry finish
- Balanced hop bitterness and malt sweetness
- Alcohol content ranging from 4-6% ABV
- Uses pale malt, hops, yeast, and water
- Typically served cold in a tall, slender pilsner glass
The History of Pilsner Beer
The history of pilsner started in the mid-19th century in Plzeň, Bohemia (now Czech Republic), with renowned Bavarian brewer Josef Groll brewing the very first Pilsner in 1842. The original Pilsner caught the world's attention quickly, launching a reign of refreshment that still persists today![1]
Czech, German, American, and Belgian Pilsners
Each region brings its own twist to the classic Pilsner, offering variations in color, flavor, and brewing process. Let's explore these unique styles![3]
- Czech Pilsners (Bohemian Pilsners): Brewed with Saaz hops, these darker, full-bodied beers offer smoother, balanced flavors with a satisfying malt sweetness. They're celebrated for their depth and complexity.
- German Pilsners: The bitter and crisper German versions are known to be light-colored. They're often brewed with noble hops like Hallertau, revealing spicy, herbal flavors.
- Alsatian Pilsners: Traditionally made in the Alsace region of France, adjacent to the German border, Alsatian Pilsners employ soft water and local varieties like Strisselspalt for their unique malt character. Some recipes even include adjunct grains like corn for a lighter body.
- American Pilsners: Embracing lighter bodies and crisp finishes, American Pilsners are often brewed with bold American hop varietals. Crafted with easy-drinking moments in mind, they're typically served ice cold.
Pilsner Food Pairings
Pilsner's light, slightly sweet flavor and local heritage make it a versatile choice for food pairings. Whether you're sipping on seafood, devouring a grilled steak, or indulging in a richly sweet dessert, this golden delight holds its own. And absolutely, it's a perfect summer refreshment![4]
Sources:
[1] Beerspiral (n.d.). Brewing technique. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://beerspiral.com/britishing_the_pilsner/
[2] Hoppit (2021). Types of Pilsners. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://hoppit.co/blogs/learn-beer/types-of-pilsners
[3] Growler USA (n.d.). American Pilsner vs Czech Pilsner. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://www.growlerusa.com/blog/american-pilsner-vs-czech-pilsner/
[4] Craftbeer.com (2022). How to Pair Food with Pilsner Beer. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://www.craftbeer.com/style/pilsner
[5] Beer Advocate (n.d.). Pilsner (Style Guidelines). Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://www.beeradvocate.com/learn-about-beer/style/pilsner/
Cheyne Harvey, a homebrewing enthusiast and competitor against craft breweries, was inspired to create a Kiwi-Laced Pilsner using New Zealand hops and gadgets like a kitchen scale and thermometer, merging his love for technology with his craft beer passion. With smartphones in hand, homebrewers can easily access recipe resources, brewing software, and share their brewing experiences with fellow enthusiasts.
