A Simple Lager Recipe for Homebrewers (No Fancy Equipment Needed)
Brewing your own lager at home sounds tricky, especially with all the talk about needing special gear and precise temperatures. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With a little patience and some basic tools, you can make a tasty home-brewed lager without turning your kitchen into a science lab. This simple recipe will guide you through the process. If you’re just starting out, the Learning to Homebrew blog is also a good place to pick up tips and tricks.Lagers are a type of beer that are usually smooth, crisp, and a little lighter in taste compared to ales. What’s different about lagers is that they use a special kind of yeast, called lager yeast, which likes to ferment at cooler temperatures. But don’t worry—if you don’t have a fancy fermentation chamber, a cool basement or cold garage during winter will do just fine.
Here’s what you’ll need:
**Ingredients:**
- 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) of liquid malt extract (light or pale)
- 1.5 lbs (0.7 kg) of dry malt extract
- 1 oz (28 g) of Hallertau or Saaz hops (mild and aromatic)
- 1 packet of lager yeast (Saflager W-34/70 is a solid choice)
- 5 gallons (about 19 liters) of clean water
- Optional: a little corn sugar if you want to increase alcohol slightly or improve clarity
**Tools:**
- A large pot (at least 3 gallons)
- A fermentation bucket with an airlock
- Bottles, caps, and a capper
- A thermometer (helpful but not required)
**Steps:**
1. Boil 2.5 gallons of water. Add the malt extracts and bring it to a gentle boil.
2. Add hops. Boil for about 60 minutes to get the bitterness and flavor.
3. Cool the mixture down using an ice bath in your sink or tub.
4. Add this to your fermentation bucket and top up with cool water to make 5 gallons.
5. When the mixture cools to around 55°F (13°C), sprinkle in the lager yeast.
6. Let it ferment in a cool place (ideally 50–55°F / 10–13°C) for 2–3 weeks.
7. Bottle it with a touch of sugar to get carbonation, then wait another few weeks.
That’s it! Lager takes a bit more time than ale, but you don’t need a fancy setup to make something tasty. With patience and basic tools, you’ll have a homemade beer you’ll be proud of. Cheers!