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Author Topic: Chasing the perfect Munich Helles  (Read 69685 times)

techbrau

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Chasing the perfect Munich Helles
« on: October 11, 2015, 07:22:27 pm »
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« Last Edit: April 07, 2016, 09:14:00 pm by techbrau »

Offline brewday

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Re: Chasing the perfect Munich Helles
« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2015, 07:53:17 pm »
For grist, how about Cologne malt?  It's definitely bready, kinda rich and it's a really nice compliment to pils.  Maybe use it as a substitute for your Vienna?

Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Chasing the perfect Munich Helles
« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2015, 08:07:14 pm »
About to start my third season down the Highway to Helles. Dunkel too. You are way ahead of me but its reassuring to see that the trajectory of our paths seem similar. I like Best Malz, and Mittelfruh, 50ppm from CaCl only, but single infusion for me, and ive been working 2308. Its got Munich in the name, its gotta work, right?

Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: Chasing the perfect Munich Helles
« Reply #3 on: October 11, 2015, 08:25:12 pm »
I've tried nowhere near the number of different helles combos as techbrau. My favorite helles so far has been 90% Pils, 10% Vienna, WY2124, 18 IBU HM @ 60, single infusion, 50 ppm Ca (more CaCl2 than gypsum). This makes a good beer, but I'm always open to ways to make it better. I'd like to try the 835 yeast sometime. Never used it.
Jon H.

Offline erockrph

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Re: Chasing the perfect Munich Helles
« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2015, 09:34:46 pm »
For grist, how about Cologne malt?  It's definitely bready, kinda rich and it's a really nice compliment to pils.  Maybe use it as a substitute for your Vienna?
I'm planning on tackling the Helles style myself this winter and I'm planning on using Kolsch malt in the grist. I agree with the "super pilsner" description. Pilsner malt gives me dry pasta and cracker notes, but I get something closer to the inside of a baguette from a lot of Helles. Big breweries can have malt made to spec, so it stands to reason that they could be using something kilned just a hair beyond a typical pilsner malt.
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Offline Thirsty_Monk

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Re: Chasing the perfect Munich Helles
« Reply #5 on: October 12, 2015, 07:28:28 am »
Try blending two Pilsner malts let say Best Pilsner and Castle Pilsner. Weyernman German Pilsner is too clean.
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rabeb25

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Re: Chasing the perfect Munich Helles
« Reply #6 on: October 12, 2015, 08:56:38 am »
PM sent  ;)

Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: Chasing the perfect Munich Helles
« Reply #7 on: October 12, 2015, 09:09:25 am »
Try blending two Pilsner malts

That's something I haven't done on a Helles, Leos. I may give that a shot on the next one.
Jon H.

Offline Wort-H.O.G.

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Re: Chasing the perfect Munich Helles
« Reply #8 on: October 12, 2015, 09:14:59 am »
Eric and I were discussing this on another thread. I think a little kolsch malt in the recipe may add that distinct flavor. hoping to try it out this fall/winter.
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
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Offline hopfenundmalz

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Re: Chasing the perfect Munich Helles
« Reply #9 on: October 12, 2015, 09:15:37 am »
Try a blend of a pils malt and a german Pale malt. Someday I might use some best Heidelburg malt too.

WLP835 Lager X, that rhymes with Kloster Andechs.  ;)
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Offline AmandaK

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Re: Chasing the perfect Munich Helles
« Reply #10 on: October 12, 2015, 12:25:51 pm »
I'm just here to subscribe and listen to all of your ideas.  8) I think spring will be my next foray into Helles, but I'm still on this dang German Pilsner kick.  :)
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Offline Wort-H.O.G.

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Re: Chasing the perfect Munich Helles
« Reply #11 on: October 12, 2015, 12:32:42 pm »
ive used 833, 835 and 838. 835 great yeast-not readily available year round. cant go wrong with 833 or 838 IMO.

I agree with OP-not sure there's any munich or vienna driving that "german Helles flavor and aroma".  Im going to try the 80-85% pils, 15-20% kolsch malt. after all, helles lager is dubbed the sister to kolsch ale. im going with schill kolsch malt on this one.
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
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http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=The_Science_of_Mashing

Serving:        In Process:
Vienna IPA          O'Fest
Dort
Mead                 
Cider                         
Ger'merican Blonde
Amber Ale
Next:
Ger Pils
O'Fest

Offline brewday

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Re: Chasing the perfect Munich Helles
« Reply #12 on: October 12, 2015, 12:55:35 pm »
ive used 833, 835 and 838. 835 great yeast-not readily available year round. cant go wrong with 833 or 838 IMO.

I agree with OP-not sure there's any munich or vienna driving that "german Helles flavor and aroma".  Im going to try the 80-85% pils, 15-20% kolsch malt. after all, helles lager is dubbed the sister to kolsch ale. im going with schill kolsch malt on this one.

Interesting about the sister beers, I hadn't heard that.  I think I'm going to make a run at this by simply flipping my Kolsch into a Helles by swapping yeast strains.

The Kolsch is 93% Avangard Pils, 7% Schill Cologne.

Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: Chasing the perfect Munich Helles
« Reply #13 on: October 12, 2015, 01:11:28 pm »
Ok guys, I've never used kolsch malt (need to), but I've used Vienna in helles and liked it.  I assume the two are fairly different then ? I always assumed vienna and kolsch were fairly similar. As I think about it, I use basically the same grist for kolsch as for helles - 90 pils/10 vienna. Just curious.
Jon H.

Offline Wort-H.O.G.

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Re: Chasing the perfect Munich Helles
« Reply #14 on: October 12, 2015, 01:13:38 pm »
ive used 833, 835 and 838. 835 great yeast-not readily available year round. cant go wrong with 833 or 838 IMO.

I agree with OP-not sure there's any munich or vienna driving that "german Helles flavor and aroma".  Im going to try the 80-85% pils, 15-20% kolsch malt. after all, helles lager is dubbed the sister to kolsch ale. im going with schill kolsch malt on this one.

Interesting about the sister beers, I hadn't heard that.  I think I'm going to make a run at this by simply flipping my Kolsch into a Helles by swapping yeast strains.

The Kolsch is 93% Avangard Pils, 7% Schill Cologne.

cousin might be a better relative descriptor  ;D

anyway- i think its worth a shot. ive used the schill kolsch malt and its has wonderful bready/biscuit like aroma to it. they key is figuring out how it plays in and what % with the pils malt.  im leaning towards the 85/15 ratio.

now im all excited to brew!
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
CPT, U.S.Army
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harveys-Brewhaus/405092862905115

http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=The_Science_of_Mashing

Serving:        In Process:
Vienna IPA          O'Fest
Dort
Mead                 
Cider                         
Ger'merican Blonde
Amber Ale
Next:
Ger Pils
O'Fest