Hi all,
I've just bottled a batch of pilsner and I am wondering what the best way to condition is. I have managed to tweak my freezer to sit at about 1 degree C but I am assuming its best not to go straight in there after bottling as it will take an age to carbonate.
I am thinking a week at ambient 'autumn garage' temps to let the yeast (S-23) produce some CO2 then into the freezer for a couple of months lagering.
Does that sound OK?
Lagering
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hoppingMad
Hi Neal,
I have not lagered in the bottle before, preferring to lager in the carboy, then bottle afterwards. but you should be fine lagering in the bottle.
I would suggest a little longer at ambient than just a week though. Lagers should have higher volumes of CO2 and generally take 3 weeks to carbonate at ambient but I realise this depends on several factors.
They should continue carbonating at cooler temps but I'm not sure at what rate when stored at 1 degree C.
I would suggest at least a couple of weeks at ambient first, and preferrably three.
Incidentally, and I have mentioned this before, I lager at 2 C for two-three weeks then bottle and I have no problems with natural carbonation after lagering when using S-23.
I have just switched to liquid yeasts and am about to bottle a lager this morning. I will be interested to see how this yeast performs during bottle carbonation over the next three weeks as compared to S-23.
Hopp.
I have not lagered in the bottle before, preferring to lager in the carboy, then bottle afterwards. but you should be fine lagering in the bottle.
I would suggest a little longer at ambient than just a week though. Lagers should have higher volumes of CO2 and generally take 3 weeks to carbonate at ambient but I realise this depends on several factors.
They should continue carbonating at cooler temps but I'm not sure at what rate when stored at 1 degree C.
I would suggest at least a couple of weeks at ambient first, and preferrably three.
Incidentally, and I have mentioned this before, I lager at 2 C for two-three weeks then bottle and I have no problems with natural carbonation after lagering when using S-23.
I have just switched to liquid yeasts and am about to bottle a lager this morning. I will be interested to see how this yeast performs during bottle carbonation over the next three weeks as compared to S-23.
Hopp.
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Neal
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hoppingMad
I don't think so, I believe the colder you can lager the better without freezing your beer.
I suspect the time required also deminishes as the temp drops, but I can't say from experience.
Lagering also serves to drop out quite a lot of the chill haze too, which for light coloured lagers, is a real plus.
I suspect the time required also deminishes as the temp drops, but I can't say from experience.
Lagering also serves to drop out quite a lot of the chill haze too, which for light coloured lagers, is a real plus.
