This is a scaled down version of the recipe we brewed alongside our friend Dave at Diatribe Brewing Co in West Asheville. We brewed the original batch together on his system, using his approach to simple, precise brewing and a focus on clean, expressive ingredients. This version keeps the same core structure and character, just adjusted for a 5 gallon homebrew setup so you can recreate the beer at home while staying true to what we dialed in on brewday.

A crisp and brilliantly straightforward Czech style pilsner that proves greatness doesn’t require complexity. Built on a foundation of single malt and a single hop, it highlights exactly what those ingredients can do on their own. By pairing Chesapeake Pilsner with noble Czech Saaz, you get a clean, bready backbone layered with a delicate spice and floral aroma.

What's Included?

• Milled All-Grain Malt (10 lb 4 oz Riverbend Chesapeake Pilsner)
• Sealed Hop Pellets (6 oz Czech Saaz)
• Two Packets of Dry Lager Yeast (Fermentis Saflager W-34/70)

Description

This is the beer that proves you don't need complexity to make something great. The Czech Saaz SMaSH Pilsner strips brewing down to its purest form, a Single Malt and Single Hop recipe where each ingredient shines with nowhere to hide. A generous base of Chesapeake Pilsner malt delivers a clean, bready backbone with a touch of honey sweetness, while Czech Saaz hops, added at four stages throughout the boil, build layers of delicate spice, herbal earthiness, and floral aroma. Fermented cool and clean with Saflager W-34/70, this pilsner finishes dry and brilliantly crisp. It's a showcase of restraint, balance, and the timeless beauty of Czech brewing tradition.

Specs

Brew Style: Czech Pilsner (SMaSH)
Batch Size: 5.5 Gallons (21 L)
Original Gravity: 1.046
Final Gravity: 1.007
ABV: 5.1%
IBU: 34
SRM: 4
Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Brewing Instructions

Mash: Heat 7.6 gallons of  water and mash the full grain bill for 60 minutes at 150°F.

Boil: Bring the wort to a boil for 60 minutes. Add the 2 oz first-wort charge of Saaz as you begin heating to the boil. At 30 minutes remaining, add 1 oz Saaz. At 15 minutes, add 1 oz Saaz and the Whirlfloc tablet. At 5 minutes, add the final 2 oz Saaz.

Ferment: Chill the wort to 52°F, transfer to your fermenter, and pitch both packets of Saflager W-34/70 yeast. Ferment at 52°F for 18 days, then raise to 59°F for a 3-day diacetyl rest.

Carbonate: Package your beer in bottles or a keg and carbonate to 2.4 volumes of CO₂. Lager cold for 2–4 weeks for the smoothest results.