Saturday 1 July 2023

Let's Brew - 1941 (late) Heineken Beiersch

I'm so glad that I have some Heineken brewing records from WW II. If only to demonstrate that things weren't all that bad in the UK

The other vaguely-intoxicating Heineken beer of this period is Beiersch. Though, like Pils, it’s had 10º lopped off its OG.

Similar changes to the grist to in Donker Lagerbier have been made. Namely a doubling of the quantity of caramel malt and a big increase in the amount of carafa. And just about 20% of the base malt has been replaced by sugar. Despite more dark malt being employed the colour has become quite a bit paler.

Quite a sizeable reduction in the hopping rate has, despite the fall in gravity reduced the (calculated) bitterness level from 15 IBU to 12 IBU. The hops were a single type of Hallertau from the 1940 crop. 

Mash in at 35º C (95º F) 5 minutes
Warm whole mash to 52º C (126º F) 20 minutes
Rest whole mash at 52º C (126º F) (protein rest) 15 minutes
Draw off first mash and without a rest bring to the boil 30 minutes
Boil first mash 10 minutes
The rest of the mash remains at 52º C (126º F) 40 minutes
Mash at 70º C (158º F) 25 minutes
Rest whole mash at 70º C (158º F) (saccharification rest) 30 minutes
Draw off second mash and without a rest bring to the boil 15 minutes
Boil second mash 10 minutes
Mash at 76º C (169º F) and mash out 20 minutes


1941 (late) Heineken Beiersch
pilsner malt 4.25 lb 71.67%
caramel malt 60 L 0.25 lb 4.22%
caraamber 0.25 lb 4.22%
carafa III 0.18 lb 3.04%
sugar 1.00 lb 16.86%
Hallertau 90 mins 0.125 oz
Hallertau 60 mins 0.33 oz
Hallertau 30 mins 0.50 oz
OG 1029
FG 1007.5
ABV 2.84
Apparent attenuation 74.14%
IBU 13
SRM 11
Mash double decoction  
Boil time 90 minutes
pitching temp 48º F
Yeast WLP830 German Lager

This recipe is one of 553 in my recently-released BlitzKrieg!, the definitive book on brewing during WW II.

Get your copy now!

The second volume contains the recipes. But not just that. There are also overviews of some of the breweries covered, showing their beers at the start and the end of the conflict.

Buy one now and be the envy of your friends!

 

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Ron I used to think Heinken only had brewed cold straw coloured lager until I read the world guide to beer and discovered they brewed at the time still darker lagers.
Oscar