7 replies to this topic

[Brian72]

Can I get away with using 2 row pale malt? Every recipe I've seen thus far says pilnser or lager malt. Wondering because my Boston Lager recipe uses just plain ol 2 row.

[djinkc]

Never made one - but have made some mocktoberfests.At the least IIRC you want some Pils and maybe better Vienna. Gotta have some Munich in there too. I'd probably throw a little melanoidin in to because I don't want to fiddle with a decoction.I'm sure you'll get some better advice though....

[Brian72]

On hand I have 3 pounds of pilsner, tons of 2 row, caraviene, munich, caramunich, carapils, various crystal.So, could I use the 3 pounds of pilsner and sub the rest of the base with 2 row?

[BrewerGeorge]

This is all personal opinion, of course, but I'd say no. I'm the guy that subs 2-row for almost everything. I never buy Marris Otter or Pilsner, for instance, but use 2-row for all that with slight modifications. IMO, though, there is no substitute for vienna or munich. To my mind, (M)Ofest is 100% vienna. Now if you make one of the recipes that use some pilsner along with munich and/or vienna, I wouldn't hesitate to sub 2-row for the pilsner. Realize, though, that the recipes that use some light malt and some munich for color aren't the same. The look the same, but don't taste the same.

[Big Nake]

I agree with George. My Oktoberfest Lager is 45% American 2-row, 45% Munich and then small amounts of Aromatic, Biscuit and CaraMunich. I can't really see how the difference between pilsner & 2-row is goint to matter when you have all that Munich in there. But that's me. I won't peeve anyone by calling it ultra-authentic, but it sure is good.

[Salsgebom]

I'm in agreement with the posts above. 2-row or pils should be fine, but you'll need a heavy hand of vienna and/or munich to make a good O-fest.

[Brian72]

ok, Cool. I do have plenty of vienna and munich.

[cavman]

ok, Cool. I do have plenty of vienna and munich.

You could also brew it with just Vienna and Munich.