F6-02-01-08: Sweet*Spring Lager

Label inspiration: I just wanted a nice, spring-like scene for the label...

I've never really had Maibocks, but this beer was the Seasonal offering from Mr. Beer (Spring 2011).

From their website:

Mr. Beer’s Spring Seasonal Beer, Maibock, German-style Lager

ABV: 6.5%   SRM: 10   IBU: 14

(4-6 weeks suggested lager time)

"Mr.Beer®'s Maibock German-Style Lager is made from the finest Munich and pilsner malts for a complex, bready, and slightly honey-like malt sweetness. Noble hops provide a wonderful balancing bitterness, and a light floral finish. It comes with a true lager yeast (Saflager S-23) to produce the most authentic, crisp and clean flavor. This beer was born for springtime -- it is strong enough to fortify you against chilly spring nights, yet smooth enough to quaff as the days grow warmer."

REFILL INCLUDES:
1 Can Maibock German-Style Lager HME
1 Packet Saflager S-23 Dry Lager Yeast

In order to get to lager temps, I am using an old cat litter pan (never used) to put the fermenter in, with ice packs surrounding it. We’ll see how it works. I put in 8 cups of water.

Also, when I was prepping, I put the extract can in a pot of boiling water to loosen it up a bit. That seemed to help with the process a bit.

Brewed batch on March 6, 2011. Easy one to make. These seasonals don’t require much at all. I really want to keep it at a lower temp. We’ll see if I can.

Crap! Some extract was left at the bottom of the pot. I just noticed it. I would day it wasn’t even a millimeter thick (maybe) but still. It was all thick and gooey. PERFECT for brewing! Oh, well.

March 13, 2011. Well, after a few days of trying, I couldn’t keep the temperature at a reasonable level so I bagged it. Now, it’ll probably be a steam beer.

Bottled Sweet*Spring Lager on March 27, 2011. Things went well, but I didn’t taste it.

Conditioned one bottle on April 3, 2011. I want to try one this week to see how it tastes. We’ll see. I don’t know…I think with the high temps and hops left at the bottom of the pot that it might not be great. The only thing I have going for me is that it’s a seasonal brew. 

Conditioned the rest of Sweet*Spring Ale on April 17, 2011.

I couldn’t keep this beer in the fridge! Up until now, this has been the best beer I’ve made! Mr. Beer sold out of it already—that says something! If they ever offer it again, I’ll get three cans of it.

OVERALL SCORE: 8 of 10