Imperial Pale Lager

[BrewMasterBrad]

I am in the middle of a series of lagers fermented with Mexican Lager Yeast. I really enjoy this yeast as it ferments quickly for a lager yeast and it is very clean. I just kegged a Standard American Lager and I harvested the yeast for a Bohemian Pilsner. After that, I am going to do two Vienna lagers in a row (one for home and one for SCHF). Usually at the end of a lager yeast run, I will do a Bock or Dopplebock, but this time I think I will try an Imperial Pale Lager (IPL). I have several IPA recipes I can try, but I was wondering if anyone has tried to make this style with a lager yeast and what your experiences were. If the timing works out, I would like to have this ready in time for SCHF.

[backhousebrew]

I am in the middle of a series of lagers fermented with Mexican Lager Yeast. I really enjoy this yeast as it ferments quickly for a lager yeast and it is very clean. I just kegged a Standard American Lager and I harvested the yeast for a Bohemian Pilsner. After that, I am going to do two Vienna lagers in a row (one for home and one for SCHF). Usually at the end of a lager yeast run, I will do a Bock or Dopplebock, but this time I think I will try an Imperial Pale Lager (IPL). I have several IPA recipes I can try, but I was wondering if anyone has tried to make this style with a lager yeast and what your experiences were. If the timing works out, I would like to have this ready in time for SCHF.

Scott Bennett (starraptor) does an IPL. It took first place at the Karl Strauss competition last year.
He has been experimenting with an all grain version of it lately.

[BrewMasterBrad]

This is the recipe I came up with. Feedback is appreciated. It's basically an IPA, but with the Mexican Lager yeast. I also am throwing in a bunch of Sedona grown hops at the end.

Recipe: Mexican IPL
Brewer: Brad Nixon
Asst Brewer:
Style: Specialty Beer
TYPE: All Grain
Taste: (35.0)

Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Batch Size: 10.25 gal
Boil Size: 13.50 gal
Estimated OG: 1.060 SG
Estimated Color: 5.5 SRM
Estimated IBU: 71.1 IBU
Brewhouse Efficiency: 72.00 %
Boil Time: 90 Minutes

Ingredients:
------------
Amount Item Type % or IBU
21 lbs Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 89.36 %
2 lbs Vienna Malt (3.5 SRM) Grain 8.51 %
8.0 oz Caramel/Crystal Malt - 40L (40.0 SRM) Grain 2.13 %
2.00 oz Columbus (Tomahawk) [13.20 %] (60 min) Hops 57.7 IBU
1.00 oz Galena [13.40 %] (20 min) Hops 9.9 IBU
1.00 oz Northern Brewer [9.80 %] (5 min) Hops 3.6 IBU
4.00 oz 2011 Sedona Centennial [10.00 %] (0 min) Hops -
2.00 oz 2011 Sedona Nugget [10.00 %] (0 min) (AroHops -
1.00 tsp Gypsum (Calcium Sulfate) (Mash 60.0 min) Misc
1.00 items Whirlfloc Tablet (Boil 5.0 min) Misc
1.00 tsp Yeast Nutrient (Boil 10.0 min) Misc
1 Pkgs Mexican Lager (White Labs #WLP940) Yeast-Lager


Mash Schedule: Temperature Mash, 1 Step, Light Body
Total Grain Weight: 23.50 lb
----------------------------
Temperature Mash, 1 Step, Light Body
Step Time Name Description Step Temp
75 min Saccharification Add 8.00 gal of water at 160.4 F 150.0 F
10 min Mash Out Heat to 168.0 F over 10 min 168.0 F


Notes:
------
Whirlpool 0 minute hop additions hot for 30 minutes before starting chilling.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[brahn]

This is the recipe I came up with. Feedback is appreciated. It's basically an IPA, but with the Mexican Lager yeast. I also am throwing in a bunch of Sedona grown hops at the end.

I've never done it, but that's the approach that I would take.

The recipe looks good to me, but I think you'd at least want some dry hops. Personally I'd add some first wort hops too.

[lexuschris]

I like the looks of it! Can't wait to taste it!
--LexusChris

[kevinham]

Mexican Lager yeast works great for an IPL. Go for it!