on with the next

[daveyk]

With my first brew, (Brupaks Bitter) on its way to the bottles very soon, my thoughts turn to the next project. Ideally I would have liked to have tasted this one first but also don't want to waste the time.

I'd like to try a lager. But from what I understand, (which isn't a great deal about home brew!!) it is a little more tricky than bitter.

So what do I need to consider when choosing the kit? What sort of temps are best to ferment the lager? does it take longer? What kits would people recommend.

many thanks,

Dave.

[Hoppkins]

As i recall Lager yeast is happiest at approx 11 degrees C.

It requires a much cooler and consistant envoiroment than ale yeast. By consistant i mean less tempreture fluctuations. Ale yeast seems a bit more tolerant (although doing it will change the taste of beer i dare say)

Coopers lager is a great kit and comes with ale yeast. So negates the need for the cooler envoiroment.

[Russ]

Hi daveyk

have a look at this:

viewtopic.php?t=7340

I did a Coopers Australian Lager with 1 kg of spraymalt, I ditched the kit yeast and used two packets of Saflager S23. I fermented at 12oC in a fridge (but now the weathers cooler you could do it in the garage etc and just add a heater to stop temp getting too low)

This was my first Lager, I'm drinking it now and if I never make another one better than this I'll be happy, its great! Going to make another ASAP

[Russ]

a pic of the result, hopefully will give you inspiration to have a go.

[anomalous_result]

ooo arty.

[Minus The Bear]

Is that in the bathroom?

[daveyk]

thanks russ, just had a look at the link... most useful... and the picture got me so excited, I'm trying to work out how to get to the HBS quickly.

Dave.

[Russ]

Hi Minus The Bear

Nope It's not in the bathroom , it's sat on a white plate in the kitchen, not the loo seat!

It'll end up in the bathroom sooner or later though

[daveyk]

Hi daveyk

I fermented at 12oC in a fridge (but now the weathers cooler you could do it in the garage etc and just add a heater to stop temp getting too low)

Hi Russ,

How long did the fermentation take at this temp?

Dave.

[Russ]

Hi Dave

I was suprised it only took 2 weeks to get to 1010 at this low temp, I then racked it off into a corny under low pressure and dropped the temp in the fridge to 3oC for it's lagering period (at least 4 weeks is advisable I believe)

Hope this helps

Russ

[p2ll]

First post, long time reader

Don't be put off by the low temps of lager. S23 copes well with normal temps too. I've just brewed Muntons Gold Cont Pilsener using two satchets of s23 and some yeast vit (having read about the possibility of a stuck fermentation with these kits). It went like a rocket at 21C, and hit stable gravity within four days.

I bottled after letting it sit for a while and once carbonated (which took another four days) I lagered in the shed for four weeks.

Of course I had a snaffle (techterms)

Out of the primary - delicious
week one in lagering - not bad but weak carbonation and not matured much
week two - tased more rounded
week four - on the money - good head and excellent hops.

Best lager I've ever brewed - only one to look and taste like lager. That four weeks makes a hell of a difference.