I’ve only lagered a couple of beers in my brewing experience… mainly because I prefer ales to lagers. I brewed a Victory Prima Pils clone (Austin Homebrew) last January. It really turned out well, but that was the last time I lagered. I’m thinking about doing another pilsner to take advantage of the cold winter months for fermenting. I’m thinking about going away from the traditional noble hops with this pilsner. Maybe bitter with a touch of Columbus and finish with a combination of Nelson Sauvin and Meridian for a smooth hop flavor. I’m also thinking about dry hopping this deal… This is where my main question comes into play… Since this will be fermenting for a couple of months, should I wait to add any dry hops until the last week or so, or do it earlier in fermentation?
I just kicked my last keg on Nelson Sauvin Pils. I came out really nice. Totally different nose than a traditional Pils. I didn’t dry hop but if I were going to, I’d wait until a couple weeks prior to my serving target if big aroma is the goal.
+1
if it is not so much the aroma you are after i would consider FWH to maybe get that higher hop flavor without the bite.
I like the bite… I’m not buying into this whole replacing 60 minute hops with FWH to avoid “harsh bitterness”… IMO, that bite is what gives any beer a backbone. Now in saying that, I have used FWH and 60 minute additions together in an IPA. I’m finding myself in the minority in this though… but that’s the joy of homebrewing!
A full-on fruit bomb would be more of a lagered Pale Ale rather than a hoppy Pils. I say split the difference and use a noble-derived hop with some fruit character. A Motueka pils has been on my brew docket for a while. I’m hoping to get to it this lager season. Sterling and Crystal are other good choices.
Eh I think you’re making a broad generalization there - I’ve started to replace the 60 min addition with just FWH for a lot of my German lagers (though not Pilsner) as the “bite” in an Oktoberfest or other is a little off. Now on a lot of other styles, particularly IPA, I’m with you!
Yeah maybe I jumped the gun on that. I have little experience with lagers/pilsners. Probably a little out of line too lol… What I’m looking for is a dank bitterness… Maybe 1/2 oz Columbus to bitter then maybe 1/2 oz Nelson and meridian at 15 and 0. The more I think about it, the less I want to dry hop. I don’t necessarily want a fruit bomb, but just use non traditional pilsner hops.
frank - although i have no experience with meridian, and have only had nelson in commercial beers, I think I’ve heard that both of those hops tend to be rather fruity - perhaps you might want to include some columbus in the late boil to create what you are describing?
Agreed, my taste on the Nelson Sauvin is very fruity and I definitely pick up white wine notes.
At the NHC I had a lager on tap during club night that got some good reviews. It was vanguard, Santium, and a lot of crystal to finish, dry hopped with a little crystal.
Bells makes Quinannan Falls Special lager, which is dry hopped with Simcoe. That was the inspiration for my beer.
we may be a minority, Frank, but we’re right! 
Nelson has a little resin to it, but not much compared to the fruitiness. If you’re looking for dank in the flavor/aroma then I’d add some Columbus late. If you’re just looking for some more bite to the bitterness with a fruity flavor/aroma, then Columbus at 60, followed by Nelson and Meridian late sounds mighty tasty.
Ok…came up with this for the next brew…
Batch = 5.5
OG = 1.047
60 minute mash @ 151
Pilsner Malt = 9 lb
Carahell = 5 oz
60 minute = .5 oz Columbus
20 minute = .25 oz Columbus, .5 oz Nelson Sauvin, .5 oz Meridian
10 minute = .5 oz Nelson Sauvin and .5 oz Meridian
0 minute = .25 oz Columbus, 1 oz Nelson Sauvin and 1 oz Meridian
White Labs WLP800 Pilsner Lager (Starter)
That looks pretty solid. You’ll have to let us know how it comes out !
I like the idea and think it will be really good. I just did a pretty standard Kolsch recipe with Amarillo for flavor and aroma while keeping the IBUs within guidelines. I should probably do a traditional Kolsch but unfortunately I have the habit of changing the tried and true…
Let you know in a couple months lol
I got this brewed today. All and all it was a good brew day. The wort smelled delicious in the carboy. I had a little longer hopstand than I wanted by about 25 minutes… Forgot to turn on the water lol. I also overshot the gravity and it 1.053 instead of 1.047… I’m not too concerned with either error though. Will have results in about 7 weeks.
That looks pretty similar in hop schedule to my last IPL. 1.053 sounds like a better foundation for those hops, so I wouldn’t worry. Can’t wait to hear how it turns out !
We tapped this yesterday afternoon. This beer turned out very well. It has a nice hop presence, but it doesn’t impede it from also tasting like a pilsner. You first taste the fruitiness of the Nelson and meridian hops, but the Columbus finishes it off to keep the fruit in check. I’m very pleased with this beer.
