advice on wilkos continental lager

[pcrofts27]

Hi all,

got a wilkos light continental lager which I'm planning on doing next, and looking for a bit of advice.
I'm guessing the kit yeast isn't a lager yeast. Am I best off buying a specific lager yeast instead?
I'll ferment this in my beer box in the garage, which is basically a chipboard box with a light bulb in it! Normally holds temperature around 22, so in the current climate it should be a bit lower which i think should suit a lager. I've also got it on a timer, so I can cycle the bulb on and off if needed to bring the heat down a bit.
I'll give it a good 3 weeks before bottling, but would anyone recommend any extra hops?
Also I'm not sure about lagering. Is this just keeping it very cold for a long time after bottling, or is it stored in bulk before priming?
As usual all advice gratefully received
cheers
paul

[Oli1979]

A lot of people use Saaz hops with lagers. Might be worth a shot? Maybe dry hop them in a muslin bag once fermentation has died down.

[pcrofts27]

thanks Oli.
I was thinking of maybe using some lager style hops, but i'm not sure what the basic kit is like.
Mind you, as it's called light continental lager, that might be a clue!
I'm just wanting a light lager for summer so it could fit the bill, but I still want it to be tasty.(if I didn't want any taste i'd just but Budshitester)
cheers
paul

[alexlark]

I used saaz to make a hop tea in a coopers euro lager, turned out very nice!

[pcrofts27]

well I was driving near the LHBS yesterday so I nipped in and got 100 gms Saaz, a packet of youngs lager yeast and 1 kilo brewing sugar.
Anyone got any suggestions on quantities etc for the hops?
I was thinking maybe steeping some to go in with the kit and then dry hopping after a week or so in the FV.
Also, I'm thinking I'll do a wheat beer with orange for my next brew. Would the saaz suit that?
cheers
paul

[alexlark]

I done a 30g Saaz hop tea in about 2l of hot water and added that to the fermenter at the start. I've never dry hopped with Saaz so can't comment.

[chris.laws.54943]

I'm gonna try a hop tea for the first time. It's going in a all grain bohemian lager but I already think it needs a hoppy boost. Can't see it wouldn't add to a kit too. I'm going hallertau as its already a Saaz only brew. Who the f@&k knows what will happen (which is why I love brewing!)

[alexlark]

When I asked the question before I was rerecommended Hallertau and Saaz in the same brew, I've never done it but it does sound tasty!

[Monkeybrew]

I have brewed a Coopers Pils with Saaz & Hallertauer Hersbrucker, and it made for a nice tasty lager.

I think that dry hopping with these noble type hops, is a bit lacklustre compared to their US or New World cousins.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=58946&hilit=2278

Cheers

MB

[cellone]

+1 to Saaz and Hallertauer Hersbrucker. They compliment each other very well and I have found them in clone recipes for most of the lagers I like.
viewtopic.php?f=57&t=66029

[WalesAles]

+1 to Saaz and Hallertauer Hersbrucker. They compliment each other very well and I have found them in clone recipes for most of the lagers I like.
viewtopic.php?f=57&t=66029

Saaz and Herbrucker work well together in a `Simply Kit pale Ale`. Bloody Lovely Mun!

WA

[pcrofts27]

thanks for the feedback chaps, particularly MB - that's a great post.
Think i'll go with 25gms dry hopping, and 25 gms either boil or steep when i'm making up the kit. Anyone got any comments on which would be best?
I've also read somewhere about boiling hops with some of the malt to help extract the oils, so if I go with boiling them I might try that.
cheers
paul