Is it to late for lager

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sills

Is it to late for lager

Post by sills » Thu May 01, 2008 11:24 am

Now the warmer weather has arrived is it to late to brew lager. I have no way of keeping the wort cool whilst it ferments apart from either leaving it in the shed or putting it on a concrete floor. Is there a lager yeast that will ferment at a warmer temp or could the yeast I normally used for my beer be used (safeale 04).
Thanks

Burner

Post by Burner » Thu May 01, 2008 12:08 pm

If you can accommodate a beer fridge they pop up on freecycle a lot. I use a fridge and the temp is pretty stable at 10c and works well for lager. I forgot to add that safale05 can produce a crisp beer at higher temps.

MARMITE

Post by MARMITE » Thu May 01, 2008 12:53 pm

What's freecycle please :?:

Gurgeh

Post by Gurgeh » Thu May 01, 2008 1:09 pm

a bunch of yahoo groups for getting free stuff. google it.

You might try wlp029 - It's a Kolsch yeast which won't like <18C

Of course, SF will point out that Kolsch is an Ale, not a lager but it'll do what you want!

confused

Post by confused » Thu May 01, 2008 2:42 pm

i have a quite heath robinson approach to fermenting lagers, though I have only ever done lager from kit, not AG

I simply stand the fermenter in a water trough to which I add about a dozen slabs of ice, made by freezing water in chinese takeaway boxes. each morning I add another dozen slabs of ice and fill the empty boxes, which go back in the freezer for the next day.

heath robinson or not it seems to work.

stevezx7r

Post by stevezx7r » Thu May 01, 2008 3:47 pm

It's not just lagers which are affected by the warmer weather, ales too don't like it hot.

I'd also suggest freecycle or even your local tip as they often have white goods in which, if they work allow you to set you temp - good for lagering and if they don't work, keep it in the shade and cover it and it will do for an ale.

As a side thought on the fridge idea, if the compressors had it use it to store beer but if the gas is gone it can be re-filled and if the door seal has gone just use some silicone sealant.

prolix

Post by prolix » Thu May 01, 2008 11:08 pm

you could just brew a extra pale malt ale and hop with Saaz, gas it up and chill to serve no one will notice.

sills

Post by sills » Thu May 01, 2008 11:17 pm

The problem is a lack of space in my shed for a fridge at the moment. I will get one when I replace my shed but that wont be soon.
Prolix do you have a pale malt ale in mind that I could use.
Thanks

prolix

Post by prolix » Thu May 01, 2008 11:20 pm

number 11 is what I have

lower colour

scarer

Post by scarer » Wed May 07, 2008 11:37 pm

Boy, did I pick the wrong week to brew a lager!

I don't have a fridge and thought I would risk it in the garage but it is just too warm. Min temp 11C and max is 22C today.

The whole weekend is forecast similar temps so god knows what it's going to turn out like, I just hope that its still drinkable!

It's fermenting well (2206 Wyeast 9C pref) I have no idea how it will taste though, I should have just waited until I had a fridge!!!!!


:(

Burner

Post by Burner » Thu May 08, 2008 11:03 am

Chances are it will be fruity stuff. You could put the fermenter in a bigger bucket with some ice.

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