Mexican Lager

Nothing special in the mash or boil here—flaked maize doesn’t add any particular process challenges, but a kettle addition of kettle finings (e.g., Whirlfloc, Protafloc, or Irish moss) is probably a good idea to promote clarity downstream. At fermentation, we want this beer cold, though. It is, after all, a lager, whatever yeast you end up using! You can go a little bit warmer (to help ensure a robust and full attenuation) and start at 56°F (13°C). Hold it there for one week after the first signs of fermentation, then let it free-rise to about 70°F (21°C). When fermentation is finished, cold crash (again, for clarity) and then package. Carbonate to an even two volumes of CO2 (if carbonation is too high, you could end up with a beer that’s too full in the mouth), and then store cold for at least six weeks. You should have plenty of hops aroma to survive the aging process, and about two months in this will be a fantastic warm-weather beer.