Vailima Look-a-Like

[Rabbitz]

Greetings and Salutations to all of you Wise Brewing Sages (and Sagess's too)

I recently happened upon my local HBS and was convinced to aquire some gear. Now being a crafty chap I justified it to SWMBO by saying "the second brew will be Ginger Beer" to which I got a favourable response. However, her next comment came from way way way out in the long paddock - "D'ya reckon we could make some Vailima?"

Sensing an opportunity I said "Can't see why not?"

For those who are unfamiliar with Vailima, it is the favourite beer in Samoa. A bit wheat beerish, quite light bodied and refreshing. It has to be as 40* and 100% Humidity day after day makes full bodied beers difficult to drink in sufficient quantities...

So to tie this all up neatly, I need a recipe that may replicate Vailima. I have searched the archives here to no avail.

I thought that a Corona base might be a starting point, but as my experience with HB is limited to 0.5 Brews (the first is happily bubbling away as I write) I am open to all suggestions (and flames if required )


Any Ideas?

Col

[James L]

just had a look on the ol web site of Vailima Brewery, and apparently, the beer is a German type lager beer with a crisp refreshing taste....

http://www.vailima.ws

thats all I got... you can contact them and see if they can give you a push in the right direction....

[Rabbitz]

Thanks James,

I wasn't sure that a brewery would help someone copy their product, but I guess nothing ventured, nothing gained, and the worst thing they can do is say no...
I'll drop them a line.

Col

[collapoo]

AHhhh vailima, that brings me back to the most epic surf trip ive been on! Memories of that beer is that is was very light on just about everything i.e. bitterness, flavour, aroma, and they obviously have an infection prob with their brewery because I remember looking into the bottom of a few bottles I finished and seeing a white stringy mould!
anyway as far as replicating I would not go all malt if you want true to style, maybe a euro lager kit that is not to bitter, with 600 dex, 300 ldme and 200 malto dex. I wouldn't even bother with aroma hops if you really want to go true to style, however if you want a beer that tastes good.....

[Rabbitz]

Collapoo,
Like most things on holidays the memory is probably better than the reality. (As a wise man once said "Nostalgia is the file that takes the rough edges off memories")

Once summer gets closer I think I will try your recipe with an ESB Bavarian Lager or a Brewcraft Munich Lager. Although I might slip in some hops just for pride

Many Thanks Kind Sir

[KEG]

if you're doing kit brews, try a coopers mexican cerveza or canadian blonde kit and a lager yeast. need to keep the temp very low though.

[Rabbitz]

Keg

Clearly a newbie question, but what difference does the temp make?

I understand the difference it would make to the speed of fermentation, but what would the difference to "the end product" be?

Thanks
Colin

[KEG]

higher temps make the yeast throw off all kinds of (usually) undesirable flavours, especially fruity flavours. a higher brewing temp will leave a beer tasting distinctly like apple cider. in a bad way.

[Rabbitz]

Thanks Chris,

So much to learn, so little time,
So many brews, so long to make each...

Col

[collapoo]

good luck rabbitz, let us know how it goes!