Fermenting a lager
Fermenting a lager
When I'm fermenting a beer I generally start at 18c for 7 days then increase to 21c for a couple of days to clean up the yeast before crash cooling for 24 hours prior to bottling.
I've just made a lager using WLP 800 and fermented at 12c for 16 days so far. Does anyone increase the temperature to clean up the yeast like I do for my ales ?
I've just made a lager using WLP 800 and fermented at 12c for 16 days so far. Does anyone increase the temperature to clean up the yeast like I do for my ales ?
- alexlark
- Under the Table
- Posts: 1403
- Joined: Thu May 02, 2013 12:29 pm
- Location: Rhondda, South Wales
Re: Fermenting a lager
Yes I increase the temp with a lager too. No harm in doing that at all.
I've got a lager on tap that I fermented using the Brulosophy lager method. Perfect! I'm using their method from now on. Their goal was going from grain to glass as fast as possible and maintain quality.
I've got a lager on tap that I fermented using the Brulosophy lager method. Perfect! I'm using their method from now on. Their goal was going from grain to glass as fast as possible and maintain quality.
Re: Fermenting a lager
Think the last lager I did I fermented at 12 for y days then increased temp. No off flavours and speeds things up considerably
Re: Fermenting a lager
Yes - diacetyl rest - you need to increase temperature to make this happen in an acceptable timeframe, AIUI.
Re: Fermenting a lager
Thanks for the replies lads- very helpful
Given I've fermented at 12c average what shall I increase it to?
Given I've fermented at 12c average what shall I increase it to?
-
- Falling off the Barstool
- Posts: 3555
- Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:30 pm
- Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Re: Fermenting a lager
The first thing that you need to do is to determine whether you actually need a d-rest. I don't brew a large amount of lagers, but I've never needed to do a d-rest.
I'm just here for the beer.
Re: Fermenting a lager
Marmite - Palmer's How to Brew p102 suggests 13-16 degC for 24-48 hrs.
I'm reading it in response to Rookie's comment... Palmer agrees saying it is only needed "if the pitching or fermentation conditions warrant it"
Sadly he doesn't give any guidance on quantifying that!
Rookie do you have a way to test?
I'm not aware of any downside of doing it unless you're pushed for time.
I'm reading it in response to Rookie's comment... Palmer agrees saying it is only needed "if the pitching or fermentation conditions warrant it"
Sadly he doesn't give any guidance on quantifying that!
Rookie do you have a way to test?
I'm not aware of any downside of doing it unless you're pushed for time.
-
- Falling off the Barstool
- Posts: 3555
- Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:30 pm
- Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Re: Fermenting a lager
Diacetyl has a distinctive buttery/butterscotch smell.
As far as I know there's no downside, but why add an additional step if you don't actually need it?
I'm just here for the beer.
Re: Fermenting a lager
Indeed, but how to be sure you can avoid it? Are you suggesting a sniff once fermentation is over, no butterscotch smell = skip the diacetyl rest?
Re: Fermenting a lager
I've increased the temperature to 15c for a couple of days then cooled in a cool room to 7c for another 2 days. I pitched the yeast from a 4 litre starter into 25 litres and the gravity after 23 days has come down from 1058 to 1016(temperature adjusted) This gives almost 72% attentuation and White Labs website gives 72-77 so almost within tolerance. The trouble is the beer is extremely cloudly despite WLP 800 being medium to high flocculation.
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
-
- Falling off the Barstool
- Posts: 3555
- Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:30 pm
- Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Re: Fermenting a lager
That's pretty much it. It's a pretty strong smell.Jambo wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2018 12:11 pmIndeed, but how to be sure you can avoid it? Are you suggesting a sniff once fermentation is over, no butterscotch smell = skip the diacetyl rest?
I'm just here for the beer.
-
- Lost in an Alcoholic Haze
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:28 pm
- Location: North Tawton
Re: Fermenting a lager
I’ve followed the fermentation schedule from this recipe.
http://www.alternativecommutepueblo.com ... lsner.html
Still in ferm fridge, so the jury’s still out!
http://www.alternativecommutepueblo.com ... lsner.html
Still in ferm fridge, so the jury’s still out!