Let's Brew - 1990 Youngs John Young's London Lager

In the 1970s Youngs brewed a much-mocked Lager called Saxon. Eventually, taking the hint, they introduced a couple of more authentic Lagers. The weaker of which was this beer.

It’s a very simple beer. A SMASH beer in fact. Though there were two types of lager malt from different suppliers. Doesn’t leave me very much to discuss. Other than to remark that it’s interesting that no sugar was involved. And that this beer is Reinheitsgebot-compliant.

The fermentation was relatively cold, hitting a maximum of 55.5º F. The mashing scheme, however, is typically London. Where an initial infusion was followed after 30 minutes by an underlet to raise the temperature of the mash by a few degrees.

The hops were rather old, being from the 1986 season. All of just the one type. I’ve increased the quantities to achieve the bitterness level listed in the brewing record.

I don’t think this was lagered. 

1990 Youngs John Young's London Lager
lager malt	8.25 lb	100.00%
Styrian Goldings 60 min	1.375 oz
Styrian Goldings 10 min	0.50 oz
OG	1038
FG	1011
ABV	3.57
Apparent attenuation	71.05%
IBU	24.5
SRM	2.7
Mash at	147º F
Sparge at	165º F
Boil time	60 minutes
pitching temp	52.5º F
Yeast	Wyeast 2042 Danish lager

Listen to brewer John Hatch explain how they brewed at Youngs in the 1990s.