Czech Pilsner, Lager?

[R-J-M]

Evening guys, I recently bought and brewed a Better Brew Czech Pilsner Kit. I got this hoping it would be a really fizzy, crisp golden lager......but is it actually a lager or an ale?

I fermented it for 10 days, then primed each bottle and it's been bottled for 10 days now. Stuck one in the fridge last night, opened it now and it's a brown colour, and tastes/smells just like ale.

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I was hoping for an obvious lager taste, Carling, Coors, Bud etc. Am I just dreaming?

 

[MickDundee]

Most lager kits use ale yeasts. Proper lager yeasts need proper temperature and lagering facilities. I don't know about kits but some AG pseudo lagers (lager style beers fermented with ale yeast) are very close to lager in taste.

Regarding style, a Czech Pilsner will never taste like an American lager. They are 2 distinct styles of beer.

 

[R-J-M]

Oh dear then lol this kit advised me to ferment at room temperature. I will store the bottles somewhere cool and try one in a month or 2

 

[Jakeyboi]

R-J-M buy the coopers Mexican crevasa. It uses an ale yeast so can brew at 24C. But turns out to be a very light lagery type of drink.

Just brew with 1kg dextrose first time, then try adding dme on your next batches.


Jake

 

[GlentoranMark]

Storing will improve the beer but it won't make it taste like a lager. Next time you make a kit try splitting the brew and use a lager yeast in a 5L demijohn and brew that in your fridge. That will make for a good comparison.

^^
I have that Mexican Czeverza still to brew. I'll maybe practice what I preach and do half with it's original yeast and half with a lager yeast.

 

[RLGMIlson]

When you say 5 litres assume you have to make at least 3 batches ?

 

[terrym]

Try a Coopers European Lager which comes with a lager yeast so you can ferment at low teens temperatures, but suggest you buy additional lager yeast to boost the kit yeast to ensure it keeps going. I boosted mine with a Saaz dry hop
There are kit reviews on many kits here including lagers.
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