Lite American Lager

[BigNastyBrew]

Thinking about brewing this. Anyone tried with success and actually like it? As much as my passion runs deep for craft beers with character, every now and then, I like a Miller Lite JUST to quench my thirst. No hops, no malt, really...but not water, soda, tea, etc... You know what I mean?

So, before it gets 115° out here, I'm thinking of brewing this up. What does the BN Army think?

[BadRock]

I think if you crave Miller Lite, have a Miller Lite. I think it's a hell of a lot of work to try and brew a "good" Lite American Lager. When I get the taste for a lighter beer I brew a cream ale. That way after I satisfy my craving for a lite lager, I still have a beer with a little more to offer.

[seanhagerty]

Go for it. Its another beer style to try to get right.

It would be a great one to send off to comps, as the lite style should get you some very clear feedback from the judges on your process.

Let me know your recipe as you go through this.

Sean

[BigNastyBrew]

I'm brewing the BCS recipe adjusted for 5 gallons into the fermenter. My biggest carboy is 6 gallons and my brew pot will not accommodate any more wort than what it takes to boil down to 5 gallons for 90 minutes (although my keggle is on the way).

6lbs American 2-Row
1.5lbs Flaked Rice
.6oz 4% Hallertau at 60
WLP840 With starter

90 minute boil
Cool to 45° before pitching
Ferment at 50°

[seanhagerty]

I just brewed this, except i used saflager for the yeast and I think I used an ounce of hallertau cause it was easier to just use the whole ounce.

Fermented at 50, just stepped it up to 60 for the D rest.

[BigNastyBrew]

Right on, brotha! Love to hear how it turns out.

You know...looking at the gravity on this beer, it's not that much different than the Ordinary Bitter I just brewed. Except I can expect more malt flavor and definitely more of the Kent Goldings.

I'm gonna do it. I would "just drink a Miller Lite" but if I took that route why not just buy any beer within style instead of brewing it?

[Nate Diggler]

A buddy of mine requested a beer like this (he wanted Sapporo/Kirin)... so this is what I came up with. I'm ashamed to admit that it actually wasn't half bad for panther piss... I think the decent yeast made all the difference.

Golden Pee of the Orient

Recipe Specifics
----------------

Batch Size (Gal): 10.00 Wort Size (Gal): 10.00
Total Grain (Lbs): 19.38
Anticipated OG: 1.0520 Plato: 12.85
Anticipated SRM: 3.3
Anticipated IBU: 17.1
Brewhouse Efficiency: 73 %
Wort Boil Time: 90 Minutes

Grain/Extract/Sugar
% Amount Name Origin Potential SRM
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
72.3 14.00 lbs. Pale Malt(2-row) America 1.0360 2
22.6 4.38 lbs. Minute Rice 1.0400 1
5.2 1.00 lbs. Cara-Pils Dextrine Malt 1.0330 2

Hops
Amount Name Form Alpha IBU Boil Time
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.00 oz. Cluster Pellet 7.00 17.1 60 min.

Yeast
-----
WYeast 2278 Czech Pils

Saccharification Rest Temp : 150 Time: 75
Mash-out Rest Temp : 170 Time: 5
Sparge Temp : 175 Time: 30

Notes
-----
Add Minute Rice directly into the mash... no pre-gelatinization is needed a
s it is pre-cooked

[Bellmer]

Golden Pee of the Orient

+1 for the name.