Fest Bier

So…just had a small glass of my recently kegged Fest Bier.

It is a winner! And thanks again to the Village Tap House for the heads-up on the grain bill.

I feel like I’m sitting in the outdoor courtyard of the Paulaner Restaurant in Frankfurt, DE.

This is a definite entry for the upcoming Bluebonnet.

Did you make it with the simpler grain bill?  Depending on the specific grains, anywhere from 50/50 pils/Munich 2 down to something like 65/35 pils/munich 2 can be really nice.  One hop addition at the start of the boil for about 25 IBUs or so.  I need to check my notes but I think that Spalt hops that are in excellent condition might be the way to go on the hops.  I’m sure I did Magnum and also Hallertau Mitt on a couple of these but I have some really good Spalt hops right now and they’re very fresh, vibrant and punchy.

Yes, 14 lbs Pils, 4 lbs Vienna, 4 lbs Munich. 10 gallon brew.
2.5 oz Mt. Hood FWH.
Wyeast Oktoberfest Lager Blend (3rd Gen)
OG - 1.050
FG - 1.011
ABV - 5.12%

It turned out exactly the way I hoped, especially the color. It looks and tastes very close to the Paulaner Fest Bier on draft at the brewery restaurant.

I’m a big fan of using malts in combinations like you mention. It works (in my opinion) for marzen, Vienna, bocks (Helles, bock and doppel). I adjust percentages and may sub in melanoiden, aromatic or darker Munich malts. I’ve generally been happy without crystal type malts in these German lagers.

Did you try this malt? Sounds good.

I have a 65/35 Best Pilsner and Avangard Munich Festbier on right now. It is awesome.  I made it with Mexican Lager yeast which turned out great.

Only once recently in a small amount, beer was good, but mixed with flaked corn & Vienna.
Next two batches on deck are SMASHs, one with Vienna, and the other with Ursprung Fest Malt.
Or I might do 50/50 Vienna & Ursprung, undecided at this time. I don’t have enough experience
with this malt to give an opinion.