Homebrewing Head to Head: The Super Bowl of DIY Beer

A dark beer and a light beer.

Two champions are facing off to find out which will be the ultimate victor and no one on either side is wearing a helmet. In the spirit of the Super Bowl, the American Homebrewers Association pits two gold medal beer recipes against each other – one from Washington and the other From New England.

  • Green Eye Munich Helles from Jonathan Permen, in Renton, Washington

vs.

  • Tricorne Munich Dunkel from Shekhar and Paula Nimkar, in Swampscott, Massachusetts

Homebrewing Head to Head: The Super Bowl of DIY Beer

You’re Part of the Game

Not only are the beers DIY, so is the competition. You get to look at the recipes and vote on which should take the prize. Which is more appealing?

Green Eye Munich Helles

Ingredients for 7 gal (26.5 L):

  • 14.25 lb German Pils malt
  • 0.44 lb Munich malt
  • 0.16 lb Biscuit malt
  • 0.16 Melanoidin malt
  • 1.85 oz Hallertau Mittlefruh (FWH)
  • Wyeast 2308 Munich Lager yeast
  • 1 pckg Gelatin (in keg)

Or

Tricorne Munich Dunkel

Ingredients for 5 gal (18.93 L):

  • 8.0 lb Munich malt
  • 2.0 lb Pilsner malt
  • 4.0 oz Chocolate malt
  • 0.66 oz Hallertau hops, 3% a.a. (45 min)
  • 0.33 oz Hallertau hops, 3% a.a. (15 min)
  • Wyeast 2206 Bavarian Lager yeast
  • 1 tablet Whirlfloc (20 min)

Don’t Just Vote – Brew

Of course, you’re not only a voter. Homebrewing is all about DIY and what better time to start your own pot of mash that the Super Bowl? Find the complete recipes here (you’ll see their original names) and get your brew going. Helles vs. Dunkel.

What It Takes to Brew

If you’re already a homebrewer you can jump right in to these recipes. But if you have more experience drinking it than making it, how do you get your feet wet? All you need are the proper equipment (you’ve already got some of it), the right ingredients (from specialty stores or online) and a little time (2 or 3 weeks).

Equipment

Homebrewing Head to Head: The Super Bowl of DIY Beer, Jennifer Yin

  • A big pot for boiling
  • A bucket or carboy for fermenting
  • A bucket or carboy with a spigot for bottling
  • Bottles, bottle caps and a bottle capper
  • Cleaners and sanitizers

Ingredients

Homebrewing Head to Head: The Super Bowl of DIY Beer, Jennifer Yin

  • Malt extract
  • Hops
  • Yeast
  • Water

None of that looks intimidating, does it? There are recipes from beginner to advanced available from the American Homebrewers Association and from many other sources like cook books and clubs and across the internet.

So brew – taste – vote – and enjoy the Super Bowl.

Equipment and Ingredients Photos by Jennifer Yin