Brewing Legend: Joe Yeado's Gathering Place Brewing
Crafting a Vienna Lager Following Gathering Place Brewing's Methodology
Joe Yeado, homebrewer-turned-pro, pours heart and craft into every brew at Gathering Place Brewing. Based in the states, he's no stranger to awards, with medals from the Wisconsin State Fair, Minnesota's Big River homebrew competition, and Kentucky Bluegrass Cup adorning his shelves.
Brewing Gem: The Vienna Lager
Do you need a complicated grain bill for a top-notch lager? Joe's recipe demonstrates differently. Vienna malt, slightly darker than a typical base malt (4 Lovibond vs 1.8L), offers a richer flavor without a fancy bill. The addition of Munich 10L and Munich 20L adds a depth of flavor, boasting bready, malty, and caramel notes - no overindulgence in darkness or roastiness.
Recipe: Yeado's Famed Café Sperl Vienna Lager
INGREDIENTS
GRAIN
- 3 lbs Vienna
- 2 lbs Munich 10L
- 2 lbs Munich 20L
HOPS
- Boil hops: 0.7 oz Hallertauer Mittelfruh - 0:60 min
- Boil hops: 0.3 oz Hallertauer Mittelfruh - 0:25 min
- Boil hops: 0.3 oz Hallertauer Mittelfruh - 0:5 min
YEAST
- Wyeast 2124 Bohemian Lager
INSTRUCTIONS
BATCH SIZE: 3.5 gal
OG: 1.054
FG: 1.012
IBU: 27
ABV: 5.5%
EFFICIENCY: 79.8%
MASH TEMP:
135oF - 0:30 min
145oF - 0:45 min
157oF - 0:10 min
167oF - Mash Out
BOIL: 60 min
FERMENTATION:
50oF - 8 days
50oF - 34 days
SYSTEM: Trio
Pro Tips
- Lagering, or cold conditioning, originated in Central Europe and gives beers a crisp, refreshing quality. Taste a clean, malt-forward beer with minimal fruitiness. Dry hop for a hint of extra hop character.
- Hallertauer Mittelfruh, a classic German hop, boasts earthy and floral notes with a hint of spice. Its low alpha acids make it a perfect choice for flavoring and aroma in European lager beers.
For more genius from Joe, dive into his latest blog post, The Keys to Better, Boozier Beer: Master the Yeast Starter!
Cheers,
Joe Yeado - Gathering Place Brewing
Unveiling Vienna Lager's Charm
Vienna Lager: The Classic Beer with Timeless Elegance
Vienna Lager, a prominent beer style, originated in Vienna, Austria in the 19th century. Known for its perfect balance of malt and hops, Vienna Lager is adored for its subtle sweetness, moderate hop bitterness, and amber color. This exquisite beer showcases the art of brewing at its finest.
The Viennese Touch
Vienna Lager distinguishes itself with the unique Vienna malt, which imparts a fuller flavor due to its deeper color (4 Lovibond compared to standard base malt's 1.8L). Munich malt lends a more complex character and sweet caramel notes.
Crafting the Perfect Vienna Lager
A Dance of Vienna and Munich Malts
Layering up slightly roasted Munich 10L and 20L malt infuses Vienna Lager with a depth of flavor, featuring malty, bready, and caramel notes - just enough to tantalize your taste buds without turning too dark or overly roasted.
A Spice of Hallertauer Mittelfruh Hops
This classic German hop, native to Bavaria, brings earthy flavors and a hint of spice to the table, striking the perfect harmony for European lager beers. Its low alpha acid content makes it ideal for late-boil use as both a flavoring and aroma ingredient.
Delving into Brewing Vienna Lager
Embrace the Traditional
Brew this stunning classic lager with Vienna malt, lager yeast, and noble hops to experience a delectable balance of malty sweetness and gentle hop bitterness. The finishing touch? A lengthy lagering period (3-6 weeks) to refine the beer, resulting in a crisp, refreshing brew.
The Viennese Art of Pairing
Vienna Lager's maltiness matches beautifully with rich, roasted meats like pork and beef. Given its popularity in Mexico, pairing it with hearty Mexican dishes like tacos or enchiladas is a culinary delight. Try mild creamy cheeses for a delightful complement.
A Year-round Wonder
Whether sipped in summer or enjoyed during winter, Vienna Lager is a versatile delight. With a moderate alcohol content (4.5-5.5% ABV), this exceptional style can be savored effortlessly throughout the year.
A True Masterpiece: Brew Your Own Vienna Lager
Crave the refined elegance of Vienna Lager? Brew your own pint of perfection, capturing the Viennese art of brewing in your home. From decoction mashing to lagering, follow traditional techniques and let patience be your guide. Soon you'll be raising a glass to your very own Viennese masterpiece.
Tips for Immortalizing Vienna Lager's Flavor
Select Top-notch Ingredients
Quality ingredients are the heart of any great beer. Choose high-quality Vienna malt, lager yeast, and noble hops to craft your Vienna Lager.
Adore the Fermenting Process
The fermenting procedure, whether fresh or stored cold for several weeks, is essential to create a clean, crisp Viennese classic.
Indulge in Freshness
As with any beer, freshness is crucial. Drink your commercial brews within their suggested freshness windows for an unparalleled experience.
The Viennese Connection
The Viennese coffeehouse Café Sperl, revered for its classic atmosphere and coffee, may inspire the namesake of a Vienna Lager. Brewers might be enticed to create a beer capturing Vienna's essence, invoking memories of the vibrant Viennese coffeehouse culture.
- Joe Yeado, a pro brewer at Gathering Place Brewing, showcases his expertise with the crafting of Vienna Lagers, using high-quality Vienna malt and noble hops in his recipes.
- Incorporating data-and-cloud-computing technology, one could track the brewing process of Joe's award-winning Vienna Lager, from decoction mashing to lagering.
- For food-and-drink enthusiasts seeking to pair Vienna Lager with delicious dishes, the beer complements rich, roasted meats like pork and beef, as well as hearty Mexican dishes such as tacos or enchiladas.
- As a versatile beer, Vienna Lager can be enjoyed all year long, making it a perfect addition to any lifestyle, whether at home, a rustic cabin, or a lively gathering place.
