Course Reviews

Todd Stone

“Both this course and Ashleigh's and Bill's first course are extremely detailed and informative. I really love these courses as they are fantastic sources for little brewers' "secrets!"”

“Both this course and Ashleigh's and Bill's first course are extremely detailed and informative. I really love these courses as they are fantastic sources for little brewers' "secrets!"”

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Michael Rivenburg

“Extremely useful course to pick up the nuances of really great lager production.”

“Extremely useful course to pick up the nuances of really great lager production.”

→Read Less

Neil Glausier

“Good content for any level brewer. Down to earth delivery of information. ”

“Good content for any level brewer. Down to earth delivery of information. ”

→Read Less

About This Course

This course includes 48+ minutes of video

Five years ago at Craft Beer & Brewing, we produced one of our earliest and most-watched video courses: The Secrets to Brewing Great Lagers with Bierstadt Lagerhaus, taught by Bierstadt brewers and cofounders Ashleigh Carter and Bill Eye. Back then, their lager-focused brewery was a rare unicorn, with plenty of skeptics that such a business could stay afloat amid the sea of IPA. And yet, among small breweries in North America, Old World–inspired lager has only gained steam since then, and it’s hard to understate Bierstadt’s influence on that ongoing evolution. So, when Carter and Eye said they wanted to return as instructors, and go deeper on their processes and lager-brewing philosophies, we didn’t hesitate. 

In this course, the Bierstadt cofounders discuss: 

  • why and how they decoct
  • mashing for higher attenuation
  • the beauty of first-wort hopping
  • boiling to eliminate DMS
  • the when and why of kettle hop additions
  • how they do dark lagers differently
  • considerations for water profile
  • how they whirlpool and knockout
  • getting the fermentation right
  • why you want a cold liquor tank
  • yeast choice and fermentation temps
  • watching your dissolved oxygen
  • filtration and packagaing
  • the importance of proper service

And much more.

Instructor

For Carter and Eye, the brewmasters, their vision has long been clear and was never open to compromise. And while some of their other brewing colleagues might have plans for multi-state dominance, they know how much they want to make and where they want it to go.

Ashleigh Carter

Cofounder and Head Brewer, Bierstadt Lagerhaus

Instructor

For Carter and Eye, the brewmasters, their vision has long been clear and was never open to compromise. And while some of their other brewing colleagues might have plans for multi-state dominance, they know how much they want to make and where they want it to go.

Bill Eye

Cofounder, Bierstadt Lagerhaus

Course Curriculum

  • 01

    Welcome

    Show Content

    • Course Intro with Bill + Ashleigh
  • 02

    Wort + Mashing

    Show Content

    • Let’s Walk Through the Decoction Mash

    • More About The Decoction Steps and Vorlauf

    • Why Decoction Matters

    • Runoff, First-Wort Hopping, and Defeating DMS

    • What Is First-Wort Hopping?
  • 03

    Kettle + Knock Out

    Show Content

    • The When and Why of Hop Additions

    • What Sets Dark Lagers Apart

    • Water Considerations

    • Whirlpool & Knockout
  • 04

    Fermentation and Aging

    Show Content

    • Hot vs. Cold

    • Yeast and Fermentation

    • Measuring DO and Best Practices

    • Managing Dissolved Oxygen Levels

    • Carbonation

    • Service

    • Service Gear: On Side Pulls & Slow Pours
  • 05

    Conclusion, Recipes & Further Reading/Listening

    Show Content

    • Summing It Up

    • Ashleigh Carter on the Proper Helles: Toeing the Line between Bland and Sublime

    • Recipe: Bierstadt Helles Lager

    • Brewhouse Equipment: Gearing Up to Brew Lager

    • Podcast Episode #44: Bierstadt Lagerhaus Founders: A Methodical Approach to Traditional Techniques

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