25 replies to this topic

[Big Nake]

Has anyone seen it lately? After having some issues with some less-modified Weyermann I am looking for some Durst. I used Durst in the past with very good results but it seems hard to find. I have also noticed a number of other brands of "less-modified" pilsner malt including from Briess. I'm looking for pilsner malt that I can use with a single-infusion mash. Anybody? Cheers.Ps. I have also seen a lot of Castle Pils (Belgium?) but I do not recall how modified it is.

[ChicagoWaterGuy]

Has anyone seen it lately? After having some issues with some less-modified Weyermann I am looking for some Durst. I used Durst in the past with very good results but it seems hard to find. I have also noticed a number of other brands of "less-modified" pilsner malt including from Briess. I'm looking for pilsner malt that I can use with a single-infusion mash. Anybody? Cheers.Ps. I have also seen a lot of Castle Pils (Belgium?) but I do not recall how modified it is.

Ken, have you been out to Mid Country in South Holland? I've bought the Franco Belge Pils for Belgian styles. I just used the Best Pils for my Vienna. I did a single infusion, but can't let you know how it comes out for a few months. They have a few brands and the prices are great.

[Big Nake]

I've heard of them but have not been there. Can I order online from them?

[ChicagoWaterGuy]

I've heard of them but have not been there. Can I order online from them?

I order on the phone and then pick it up. I usually get 4 or 5 sacks at a time. Last grain I got was through our club group buy. The total order was over 20 sacks. Its not a homebrew shop, more of a brewery supplier.

[denny]

See if you can find Best Malz. I like their pils even better than the Durst Turbo and it works just as easily.

[Big Nake]

See if you can find Best Malz. I like their pils even better than the Durst Turbo and it works just as easily.

A-ha! Thanks Denny.

[Steve Urquell]

There's also Rahr pils, which is very affordable, tastes great and works great with a single infusion mash. Here's an APA that I brewed with it with RO water, single infusion mash, and full water mods.

[Big Nake]

Mmm, nice looking beer Chils. No question. You used Pils in an APA? Nice, Brother. You know, I have used Rahr and Briess Pils and I don't know why I didn't think of that. But I did find the Best Malz pils online at Rebel Brewer and ordered some of it for some upcoming beers. One of my LHBSs sells Weyermann and I think I got the less/undermodified stuff instead of the regular stuff. Another LHBS in my area has pilsner malt that is just labeled "Belgian Pils" so I don't actually know the brand. I'm going to make a few Pilsners/Helles/Festbiers with the Best Malz and when I need more I may order Rahr again just to compare. Cheers!

[Steve Urquell]

Mmm, nice looking beer Chils. No question. You used Pils in an APA? Nice, Brother. You know, I have used Rahr and Briess Pils and I don't know why I didn't think of that. But I did find the Best Malz pils online at Rebel Brewer and ordered some of it for some upcoming beers. One of my LHBSs sells Weyermann and I think I got the less/undermodified stuff instead of the regular stuff. Another LHBS in my area has pilsner malt that is just labeled "Belgian Pils" so I don't actually know the brand. I'm going to make a few Pilsners/Helles/Festbiers with the Best Malz and when I need more I may order Rahr again just to compare. Cheers!

Yeah, I bought a bag for $40 and brewed everything with it as my base malt. The only thing was that it was a little sweeter than regular 2-row. Worked quite well in the APA though. Scored 37 and 39 in comp.

[Big Nake]

Interesting. Did you just do a single-infusion mash? I have been in the habit of mashing a little lower (149-150°) and a little longer (90 mins) so maybe I would get around that sweetness. Not that it would be bad for a Czech Pils, etc. Did you use any clarifiers on that beer? My hunch is that a beer that looks that clear and was made with Pilsner malt... the pilsner must have been well-modified. I have 2 "gold lagers" made with (what I expect was) under- or less-modified Weyermann and both of them resemble apple sauce at the moment, even after all of the steps I take to get clear beer. Cheers!

[Steve Urquell]

Interesting. Did you just do a single-infusion mash? I have been in the habit of mashing a little lower (149-150°) and a little longer (90 mins) so maybe I would get around that sweetness. Not that it would be bad for a Czech Pils, etc. Did you use any clarifiers on that beer? My hunch is that a beer that looks that clear and was made with Pilsner malt... the pilsner must have been well-modified. I have 2 "gold lagers" made with (what I expect was) under- or less-modified Weyermann and both of them resemble apple sauce at the moment, even after all of the steps I take to get clear beer. Cheers!

Ken, I am a masochist who still bottles after years of brewing. This beer was dry hopped in primary and then bottled. I allow my bottles to carb and then put them all in the fridge. The clarity is solely from sedimentation. No finings used. It usually takes ~ 2.5-3 weeks and all my beers look like this. All my beers from that bag ended up this clear also.Single infusion mash at 156F for 60 mins. b/c I used S-05 and it likes to overattenuate.

[Big Nake]

If I can make a few pilsners that come out that clear, I'm so there! Cheers to you.

[Steve Urquell]

If I can make a few pilsners that come out that clear, I'm so there! Cheers to you.

Thanks Ken. Here's another one of your Victoria clone. Most of the people who tried it said it was their most favorite beer of mine that they tried. Thanks for a great recipe. Did you ever compare your beer and Victoria side-by-side?

[positiveContact]

See if you can find Best Malz. I like their pils even better than the Durst Turbo and it works just as easily.

That's what I've been using and I like it. It's pretty much all I've used so I don't have a good comparison.

[djinkc]

See if you can find Best Malz. I like their pils even better than the Durst Turbo and it works just as easily.

I've used Best Malz a lot, alts though, and some psuedo dj pils. I find Canada Malting Pils works good at my place for those - just as good IMO. But true Pilsners are rare in my brewery. And maybe my palate sucks............ Rahr's nice too, been a while since I used it though.

Edited by djinkc, 27 January 2011 - 05:35 PM.

[Big Nake]

Thanks Ken. Here's another one of your Victoria clone. Most of the people who tried it said it was their most favorite beer of mine that they tried. Thanks for a great recipe. Did you ever compare your beer and Victoria side-by-side?

I now have Victoria available here in Chicago (the only US city so far... more to come later) and my conclusion is that mine is heavier than the original. When I made mine and then tasted the original, the original tasted pretty wimpy to me. Unless the imported version is a little different. I'm sure water plays a big part, etc. and I'm sure I used more hops too. But I'm glad that you made it and got some good feedback on it. I can't wait to make more of it, but I don't have any 940. Did you use 940 when you made it? It will be available soon and I am planning a bunch of beers with it. Some of those may be made with this Best Malz too. Cheers!Ps. That glass of Hacienda Lager is UNBELIEVABLY clear! Nicely done!!!

[Steve Urquell]

my conclusion is that mine is heavier than the original.

I haven't had it since 2001? and thus had no reference, but it remains in my memory as the best beer in Mexico.

Did you use 940 when you made it?

No, it wasn't available when I brewed it and I used W-34/70, which may have thinned it a bit more than the 940. I think it went from 1.043 down to 1.012.

[Big Nake]

I haven't had it since 2001? and thus had no reference, but it remains in my memory as the best beer in Mexico. No, it wasn't available when I brewed it and I used W-34/70, which may have thinned it a bit more than the 940. I think it went from 1.043 down to 1.012.

Nice. I emailed a few online suppliers and the WLP940 should be arriving in stores in about 2-3 weeks according to them. If you have the chance, grab some 940 so you can see for yourself. 830 and 34/70 would make the beer very good for sure, but 940 has a little something else going on. Cheers.

[shaggaroo]

Ken, here's another data point. I used Best Malz Pils when I made your Helles recipe, single infusion at 150. Turned out fantastic.

[Big Nake]

Ken, here's another data point. I used Best Malz Pils when I made your Helles recipe, single infusion at 150. Turned out fantastic.

Hey, hey I'm liking this better and better all the time. I actually just made a Helles but I mixed American 2-row in with Munich instead of using pilsner which I was out of. I think it will come out nice, but all of these stories about how well the beers are coming out with Best Malz is making me optimistic. Was that Helles clear too? That would be a plus, for sure. Cheers.