Two Brew's for the Braai
Two Easy-Drinking Lagers to Brew This Winter
Winter is the ideal time to brew the beers you'll enjoy when spring arrives.
If you're looking for lagers that are crisp, refreshing and guaranteed to be crowd-pleasers around the braai, these two recipes should be at the top of your list.
Simple grain bills, straightforward brewing and plenty of time to mature are all that's needed to produce two beers you'll want to brew again and again.
Why Brew Lower Alcohol Lagers?
Not every lager needs to be strong.
A well-made everyday lager is clean, balanced and incredibly refreshing. It should leave you wanting another glass, not feeling full after the first one.
These styles are perfect for:
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Weekend braais
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Family gatherings
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Watching the rugby
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Warm afternoons
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Sharing with friends
They also make excellent first lager projects for brewers wanting to improve their fermentation skills.
The Spring Braai Lager
Light, crisp and refreshing with a clean malt backbone and gentle noble hop character. Brew it now and you'll have the perfect beer waiting for those first warm spring weekends.
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Batch Size | 20 L |
| OG | 1.048 |
| FG | 1.009 |
| ABV | 5.1% |
| IBU | 24 |
| Colour | Light Gold |
Grain Bill
| Malt | Amount |
|---|---|
| Pilsner Malt | 4.5 kg |
| Vienna Malt | 300 g |
| Carapils | 250 g |
Hop Schedule
| Addition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Hallertau – 60 min | 25 g |
| Hallertau – 15 min | 20 g |
| Hallertau – Flameout | 20 g |
Yeast
-
Fermentis SafLager W-34/70
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The Flavour Smith Gro-Pro Lager Nutrient
Mash
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65°C – 60 min
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Mash Out – 76°C – 10 min
Fermentation
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10–12°C for 2–3 weeks
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Diacetyl Rest – 18°C for 2 days
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Lager at 0–4°C for 4–6 weeks
Perfect with: Boerewors • Grilled chicken • Potato salad • The first spring braai
The Fridge Favourite
Every home brewer needs one beer that's always ready.
The Fridge Favourite is clean, easy-drinking and lower in alcohol, making it the lager friends will reach for first whenever they open the fridge.
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Batch Size | 20 L |
| OG | 1.044 |
| FG | 1.008 |
| ABV | 4.7% |
| IBU | 20 |
| Colour | Pale Gold |
Grain Bill
| Malt | Amount |
|---|---|
| Pilsner Malt | 4.2 kg |
| Vienna Malt | 300 g |
| Carapils | 250 g |
Hop Schedule
| Addition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Hallertau – 60 min | 20 g |
| Hallertau – 15 min | 15 g |
Yeast
-
Fermentis SafLager W-34/70
-
The Flavour Smith Gro-Pro Lager Nutrient
Mash
-
65°C – 60 min
-
Mash Out – 76°C – 10 min
Fermentation
Using W-34/70
-
10–12°C for 2–3 weeks
-
Diacetyl Rest – 18°C for 2 days
-
Lager for approximately 4 weeks
Perfect with: Burgers • Pizza • Fish and chips • Lazy Sunday afternoons
A Few Tips for Success
These recipes may be simple, but they still reward good brewing practices.
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Pitch healthy yeast.
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Keep fermentation temperatures as stable as possible.
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Complete a proper diacetyl rest.
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Allow enough time for cold conditioning.
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Don't rush the first bottle.
A little patience will make a noticeable difference to clarity, flavour and drinkability.
Suggested Lifestyle Image
Friends enjoying home-brewed lagers around a spring braai in the late afternoon.
Final Pour
Great lagers don't need complicated recipes.
Good ingredients, healthy yeast, cool fermentation and plenty of patience are all it takes to produce beers you'll be proud to share.
Whether you choose the crisp Spring Braai Lager or the easy-drinking Fridge Favourite, brew them during winter and let time do the rest.
Coming Next Week
Premium Lagers Worth Waiting For
Featuring The Ultimate Rugby Lager and The Patio Pilsner — two fuller-flavoured lagers that showcase richer malt character, classic noble hops and the rewards of extended lagering.