Pilsen or Lager malt is usually made from two-row malting barley varieties with a nitrogen range of 1.60 - 1.65 (10.0 - 10.5% protein). Nitrogen modification is usually average. Barley is steeped to 44 - 45% moisture. If the nitrogen modification required is low to average, germination temperatures of 18 - 20° C are employed. Kilning is carried out at comparatively low temperatures with an initial air-on temperature of 50° C rising to 80 - 85°C at the end of the cycle. Excessive nitrogen modification or high kilning temperatures would result in excessive melanoidine formulation and consequently high colours.

The malts produced are suitable for the preparation of bottom fermenting lager/pilsen beers using a decoction or temperature programmed mash. Such mashing regimes allow for longer enzymatic activity, particularly proteolysis activity in the early stages and hence overcome the lower protein modification required for low colour formation.

    Notes:
1. IOB extracts are reported at mill setting 0. 7 mm. EBC and ASBC extracts are reported at mill setting 0.2 mm.

2. Malt is supplied on the basis of the Institute of Brewing Methods of Analysis and EBC / ASBC values are included for guidance only.

3. IOB colour values are expressed in terms of 515 ml mashes. A new revision of IOB methods will be available in 1997 where the convention will change to the expression of colour on 450 g mashes. This will effectively raise the reported colour value by O.5° EBC over those shown above.