Looking into this style as possibly my first lager. Although, I am going to take my time and research to make it right. There is not much info on the style though. Pale Pilsner from a German family brewery. Originally the Terre Haute Brewing Company I think 1907 is when Champaign Velvet was produced? Prohibition is making this stuff fuzzy. Upland Brewing Company uses Pils, Corn, Carapils. Keeping it as simple and smooth as possible. Upland Brewing Company does it with cluster and tettnang. Although now I am ready to make my own. Any one out there familiar with this brew?
Yeah, it’s a CAP/Pre-prohibition style lager. Tried it a couple times and liked it.
Getting towards the end of the keg on my last batch of this one. No carapils in mine, only 2-row/6-row/flaked maize.
Love a good CAP !
what water profile? yellow malty? and I was thinking a German/ Bavarian lager?
I use a yellow bitter profile in mine. If you are making a lower IBU version and want something like a EuroPils, use yellow balanced or yellow malty.
Be aware that the water supply in Bloomington, IN, where CV is made, is surprisingly soft (for Indiana at least). They don’t add much in the way of minerals for that one.
Wow, even with the limestone geology? Or is it surface water?
Surface water from Lake Monroe. Its right off the mountains (hills?).
Didn’t know that, Martin. Good info.
Staying to traditional hop varieties used, how far off am I?
Brewers Gold
Golding
Whitebread Golding
Cluster
Northern Brewer
thinking somewhere between 25-30 IBUs
I saw a reference to CV having 29IBU. I’d add Cluster at FWH for about 2/3 of that value (~ 20IBU) and use Tettnang at 15 minutes and flameout to make up the difference in IBU. WLP833 would be great if you can get it.
EDIT - Could’ve been more clear. I’d add the 9 IBU @ 15 mins, then an oz or 2 more Tett @ flameout (no IBU).
Could wlp810, wlp830, or wlp840 be a fair substitute for 833 if I can’t get ahold of it?
Sure. 830 would work fine.
The only true pre-Prohibition Pils strain that is still commercially available is the Christian Schmidt strain, which is Siebel BRY118. The strain is also available as Wyeast 2272 North American Lager (a PC strain). The August Schell strain is derived from the Christian Schmidt strain (this strain has a big flavor profile that works well with Pre-Pro Pils). It is available as Wyeast 2035 American Lager. Wyeast used to call this strain Wyeast 2035 New Ulm Lager. I am fairly certain that White Labs does not offer either strain in its production line-up.
I have to admit I’ve never used either (and should’ve) in a CAP/Pre-pro lager. It’s easy to recommend 2124/830 for many lagers because it’s clean and easy to use, but not always the best strain. My favorite for the style is 833 for its malty character that serves to counteract the effect of the corn, but I don’t doubt these are better strains for the style.
That jogged my memory, I have some 2035 to do a CAP. Once I get my BJCP exam out of the way tomorrow, I plan on some brewing.
I used Yellow Balanced for mine and it came out great. Very crisp and clean.
I would assume the time frame and the knowledge/heritage of the brewer he may have used a German lager strain.
Wouldn’t “Champaign Velvet” be the Illinois classic? ;D