Purchase our El Gordito Mexican Lager here.


RECIPE INCLUDES:

  • 1 Can Aztec Mexican Cerveza Brewing Extract (Yeast under lid. You wont be using this for this recipe)
  • 1 Packet Vienna Malt (4 oz.)
  • 1 Packet Yellow Corn Flakes (4 oz. You'll only use 2 oz. for this recipe)
  • 1 Packet Saaz Hop Pellets (0.5 oz.)
  • 1 Packet Saflager S-23 Dry Ale Yeast
  • 2 Muslin Sacks
  • 1 Packet No-Rinse Cleanser

PLEASE NOTE: If you are not going to brew this recipe right away, we recommend that you refrigerate the packets of grains to preserve freshness

 

YOU'LL PROVIDE:

  • Thermometer for Steeping/Mashing - Range up to 175°F (found here)

 

Additional Information

OG: 1.036 (approx.) -- FG: 1.009 (approx.)

Suggested conditioning time is 3 to 6 weeks.

Flavor: Balanced

ABV (alc/vol): 3.5

SRM (Color): 2

IBU (Bitterness): 13

 

STEP 1: SANITIZING

Follow the steps outlined in your Mr. Beer Kit Instructions. (You can find a copy of these instructions to download by visiting our help desk.)

NOTE: BE SURE TO SANITIZE EVERYTHING THAT WILL COME INTO CONTACT WITH YOUR BEER. 

STEP 2: BREWING

Brewing beer is the process of combining a starch source (in this case, a malt brewing extract) with yeast. Once combined, the yeast eats the sugars in the malt, producing alcohol and carbon dioxide (CO2). This process is called fermentation.

  1. Using a measuring cup, pour 6 cups of water into your clean 3-quart or larger pot.
  2. Add the grains to the Muslin Grain Sack and bring your water up to above 155 degrees F.
  3. Add the grain sack to the hot water and steep for 30 minutes between 155-165 degrees. (You may add up to another 2 cups of hot water to make sure that your grains can be fully submerged.)
  4. Carefully lift the grain sack out of the pot and place into a strainer/colander. Rinse the sack over the pot with 1 cup of hot water. Let drain. Do NOT squeeze the grain bag. Discard grain bag.
  5. Remove the yeast packet from under the lid of the Brewing Extract (you won’t be using this), then place the unopened can in hot tap water.
  6. Place the pellet hops into the hop sack tying it closed, then trim away excess material.
  7. Bring grain water to a boil, add in hop sack, and then remove from heat.
  8. Open the can of Brewing Extract and pour the contents into the hot mixture. Stir until thoroughly mixed. This mixture of unfermented beer is called “wort”.
  9. Fill keg with refrigerated water to the #1 mark on the back.
  10. Pour the wort (including hop sack) into the keg, and then bring the volume of the keg to the #2 mark by adding more cold water. Stir vigorously with the spoon or whisk.
  11. Sprinkle ONLY the Saflager S-23 yeast packet into the keg, and screw on the lid. Do not stir.
  12. Put your keg in a location with a consistent temperature between 53.6° and 59° F (12°-15° C) and out of direct sunlight. After approximately 24 hours, you will be able to see the fermentation process happening by shining a flashlight into the keg. You'll see the yeast in action in the wort. The liquid will be opaque and milky, you will see bubbles rising in the liquid, and there will be bubbles on the surface.
  13. You’ll ferment for 21 days total. Your fermentation will usually reach its peak in 2 to 5 days (this is also known as “high krausen”). You may see a layer of foam on top of the wort, and sediment will accumulate at the bottom of the fermenter. This is totally normal. Complete fermentation will take approximately 2 weeks. After high krausen the foam and activity will subside and your batch will appear to be dormant. Your beer is still fermenting. The yeast is still at work slowly finishing the fermentation process.

STEP 3: BOTTLING AND CARBONATING

Follow the steps outlined in your Mr. Beer Kit Instructions. (You can find a copy of these instructions to download by visiting our help desk.)