Questions tagged [lager]

A style of beer that is fermented with a bottom-fermenting yeast at low temperatures, with extended cold conditioning.

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How do you cool a lager on a budget?

What techniques would you suggest for cooling a lager during the lagering phase? Further, how important is the stability of that temperature?
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11 votes
3 answers
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Why my homebrewed lager beer bottles explode?

I started home-brewing lager beer last year. I am using ready-kits and the first three times it went quite well. Now, with the latest, I had a very strange problem. A couple of weeks after I bottled ...
Drake's user avatar
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6 answers
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What ale yeasts can closely approximate the clean and crisp characteristics of lagers?

I'd like to brew a black lager. I don't have a temperature control setup yet, so accepting that my fermentation will be around 68-70 F, what ale yeasts would come the closest to mimicking the clean ...
Mlusby's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
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What is the purpose of lagering?

I know all the cliche answers: "it rounds the beer out", "it cleans it up", "it takes away some of the harshness". I'm looking for a definitive answer of whats actually happening during extended ...
Pietro's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
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Why should I start lagering?

I'm contemplating my next brew equipment purchase, and it's likely to be a chest freezer, either for lagering or for converting into a kegerator. I know some of the things I've heard, but what are ...
Mlusby's user avatar
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7 votes
3 answers
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At what temperature should a lager be fermented?

When fermenting a lager, what temperature should it be held at for best results?
Joe Lencioni's user avatar
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7 votes
2 answers
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Lager bottle conditioning temperature

After adding priming sugar and bottling a lager, does the temperature need to be raised (if so, for how long) to ensure carbonation?
Arlo427's user avatar
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6 votes
5 answers
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What is the difference between a lager and an IPA?

What is the difference between a lager and an IPA in the brewing process?
user14983's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
3k views

Is it possible to make a lager without secondary fermentation?

I've already made some batches of all-grain ales, and now I want to try my first lager, the only problem is that I have 2 fermentation buckets but only 1 fits on my refrigerator. So my question is: is ...
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How do I increase the sulphur production in a lager?

In my past experience, my lagers have no perceptible sulphur. I understand that the "rotten egg" sulphur (H2S) is undesirable, but every great lager I have tasted has at least a hint of matchstick ...
Wyrmwood's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
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Small Space & Apartment Brewing: Diacetyl Rest

When brewing a lager in an apartment, you will most probably use a small refrigerator for the lagering process. If the refrigerator does not allow you to choose the exact temperature, but instead you ...
Tetragrammaton's user avatar
5 votes
6 answers
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Why doesn't the Brulosopher Quick Lager Method produce esters and other off flavors?

I'm brewing 6 lagers right now (all Wyeast 2206) according to the Brülosopher Fast Lager Method. Essentially, it involves fermenting at normal lager fermentation temperatures until it is 50% ...
Matthew Moisen's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
974 views

Lagering in plastic carboy vs glass

I use plastic PET carboys ("Better Bottle" brand) for fermentation, mainly because they're cheaper, lighter, and safer. I use only chemicals to clean them (no brushes), so I'm not too worried about ...
Hank's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
3k views

Can't get accurate temperature with johnson controls and freezer

I've just started fermenting my first lager with my recent new temperature control equipment, but am having some problems getting to the correct temperature. I have a chest freezer with a johnson ...
Patrick Kafka's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
670 views

Does lagering reduce yeast so much that bottle carbonation is effected?

My first lager (a German Pils) turned out quite good! From the keg, it's great, but the half dozen bottles I filled are completely flat!? I used a little more priming sugar per bottle than my usual ...
robmcvey's user avatar
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2 answers
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What's the line between ale and lager?

There are several beers that blur the lines between ale and lager. Here's a few I'm aware of: Styles California Common is fermented at ale temperatures with a lager yeast, most often Wyeast 2112 ...
Rich Armstrong's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
790 views

Lager Bottling Temperature

I've got a lager that's been in my garage for the last month (generally hovering between 30 and 36F), and I saw a question relating to temperatures for bottle conditioning a lager, but I'm wondering ...
theraccoonbrew's user avatar
5 votes
8 answers
3k views

Can I make a "lager" with ale yeast?

On the kegerator website, I found this method to make a "cheat lager": To brew a great “hybrid” lager, I’d recommend using one of the following yeast strains: White Labs WLP001, Wyeast 1056 or ...
user2132672's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
143 views

Considerations for temperature control of a freezer?

I have brewed a few dozen batches of ale, but I'd like to brew a lager and am considering low-cost equipment to purchase. I see many using a chest freezer with a temperature control device (such as ...
hoc_age's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
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Temperature for fermenting a hybrid (california common)

I'm planning to brew a California common "steam" beer. I will be using a bottom fermenting lager yeast, specifically Wyeast 2112 California Lager. This is intended for a warmer fermentation, up to 68 ...
Colin's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
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How to tell if (and recover from) a diacetyl rest was done too early?

I've got a lager (Wyeast 2206) that I've just taken out of primary fermentation (at ~8C, for 10 days) for a diacetyl rest (at ~20C). I picked the time to do it based on "How To Brew" suggesting I ...
Mark McDonald's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
454 views

Has anyone ever had problems with a 2 day diacetyl rest at room temperature?

Say 70 - 74°­F (21 - 24°C) I normally do what the books say and rest somewhere in the 60s but this means brining my fermentation freezer up to that temperature. I am mostly an Ale brewer so normally ...
MerlinAthrawes's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
225 views

Adding extra malt

I'm about to make 5 gallons of a rather light lager. The recipe calls for 6.5 lbs DME (munton's extra light), but I could only order two 3 lb bags and a 1 lb bag. Would it be a disaster to toss that ...
Nate's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
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When Lagering outdoors

Can you lager outdoors, in the Winter as long as you keep the beer out of the light? I don't have the means or the containers needed to Lager.
Jack Scotti's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
16k views

What to do when gravity comes out too low?

We brewed a maibock (from an extract kit) and when we checked our OG it was significantly lower than it should have been. I mean like, really, really low. We decided to attribute this to the wort not ...
Joe Phillips's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
703 views

Using Granular Yeast in a Lager

Will dry yeast do any good when brewing a lager or is it necessary that you use a liquid one? I am talking about making some kind of starter with the yeast, not just pitching it into the fermenter. ...
Tetragrammaton's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
84 views

Lager vs Ale a comparison

Would it be incorrect to say a Lager is a lighter (in flavor) beer that takes a long time to make, while an Ale is a heavier more flavorful beer that can be made in less time than a lager? Ignoring ...
zatbusch's user avatar
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3 votes
4 answers
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How do lager kits let you brew at room temperature?

I am thinking about making some Mexican-style lager using one of the following kits: Coopers Mexican Cerveza Bulldog Beer Kit - Cortez Gold Mexican Cerveza Better Brew Bandit, Tequila and lime Now I ...
Daniel Ball's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
778 views

Maintaining Lagering Temperatures

I've got a Pilsner in primary that I'm hoping to start lagering this weekend. I don't have a refrigerator that can accommodate the carboy, so I'm thinking about keeping it in a largish lidded foam ...
theraccoonbrew's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
2k views

Wyeast 2124 Bohemian Lager for Bock - too late for diacetyl rest?

I really wasn't ready to do a lager, but I wanted to do a Bock, so I requested California Lager yeast. My supplier failed to make the substitution and sent me home with Wyeast 2124 Bohemian Lager. I ...
Eric H's user avatar
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4 answers
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Lowering to Lagering Temp, how will the beer taste different after lagering

First lager (Oktoberfest, Wyeast 2206), just took a sample after 3 weeks in the primary, and it tasted great (my friend said he picked up some candylike sweetness (diacetyl), but it could be because I ...
Pietro's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
60 views

Brewing Low ABV Lager

Good day! My question is simple, me and the wife love lager, I like a good 5% ABV but the wife is a light weight and likes a 3.5% ABV so the question is: How can I brew a nice lager (similar to ...
Raul Gonzales's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
1k views

Lagering (Secondary to Bottling to Lagering)

So I recently bottled a pilsner recipe after a drop from 1.061 to 1.011 specific gravity (over 6% ABV potential), and my recipe instructions called for 7-10 days at room temperature (since they've ...
nhunsaker's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
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Doppelbock fermentation and lagering question!

Iv'e got a Doppelbock 1.090 brewed 7/19. Pitched the Whit Labs "X" at 60 deg. Placed the carboy in the fridge (first time trying a lager fermentation). Two days later the beer was at 44-46(thats the ...
Ryan Shdo's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
616 views

What is the impact of a second d-rest after 3 weeks of lagering?

We have brewed a number of ales, but recently tried our hand at a pilsner. After 8 days of fermenting at around 52 degrees F, we brought the pilsner up for a 2-day diacetyl rest at around 68 degrees. ...
distractable's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
1k views

Lager krausen won't fall

I'm brewing my first true lager with White Labs WLP800 and the krausen won't fall. I'm being somewhat impatient because it's taking up primary space right now. I pitched at 44°f and let it rise to 50°...
Patrick Kafka's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
409 views

What changes needed to recipe when switching Ale to Lager yeast

I plan on brewing a porter next week that calls for a American Ale yeast. But my basement temperature would be perfect for using a California Lager yeast (aka Anchor Steam yeast). I've seen some ...
tcarvin's user avatar
  • 165
3 votes
2 answers
644 views

Reusing yeast slurry after cold-crashing.

I let a lager sit for 10 weeks in a secondary until it was very clear (the cold helped with clarity), and then used the yeast slurry at the bottom as a starter for another batch. I usually make a ...
Erik Kastman's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
150 views

Interruption of Lagering

Does an interruption in lagering, or swing in temperature effect a beer? My issue is, I only have one fridge available for lagering, which doubles as my fermentation fridge. Asked differently, if I ...
Pietro's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
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Is my lager done fermenting? More yeast?

I put my lager in the primary fermenter roughly 30 days ago. The original gravity was around 1.060 and 5 days ago when I took a reading it was at about 1.013. Today it's at 1.012 - so it doesn't ...
user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
2k views

What exactly happens during lagering?

I've just made my first lager, it is currently lagering at 1 C. What is happening to my beer at this temperature? Is the yeast still active? And most importantly: What is happening at this temperature ...
arnefm's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
620 views

Rescuing a weak lager fermentation

I'm currently fermenting a spiced dark lager with an original gravity of 1.064. I began fermentation 2 weeks ago today with a White Labs 830 yeast that I made a starter with. The yeast was a bit old, ...
dcgibbons's user avatar
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2 votes
5 answers
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Can I lager in bottles?

I am planning to do a lager this winter, since I don't have a good way of controlling temperature, I was wondering if it is possible to bottle it with priming sugar, and then lager it? Or should I ...
jsolarski's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
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How early can I know if a brew is ruined?

Today I tried my very first brew using a Coopers DIY kit. I was told the Lager mix that comes with the kit probably won't taste amazing, but it should be hardy and forgiving for beginners that don't ...
captainclam's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
6k views

What happens if I ferment a lager at room temperature?

I was wondering what are the effects of fermenting a lager at room temperature as now I don't have any way to keep my fermenter at the low temperatures required. I have read that when yeast ferments ...
Ferran Brosa Planella's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
2k views

When to conduct diacetyl rest?

I have my first lager fermenting at 50 degrees (pitched Saturday 8/18 at 11pm, tonight will be pitch + 5 days). Airlock activity started Monday AM, been going consistently since. The problem I am ...
Pietro's user avatar
  • 3,158
2 votes
2 answers
305 views

Should I rack lager before pitching yeast?

Yesterday I brewed my first Lager. I chilled the wort to about 72 degrees and figured i should get it colder before pitching. So i got the wort into a carboy and then got the carboy into to the ...
Gustavo Del Castillo's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
151 views

Lager got warmed when doing secondary fermentation

I'm brewing lager for the first time. Primary fermentation is completed in 2 weeks without anything negative under 8-10 Celcius. But after putting it to the secondary fermenter it seems my fridge has ...
asa's user avatar
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2 votes
5 answers
876 views

How can I brew lager at room temperature?

I would like to try to make lager at room temperature (around 30 C). I plan to reduce yeast and fermentation in 2 weeks in order to avoid the off favor and fusel alcohol in beer. Can I do this by ...
Goldarrow's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
780 views

Bottle Conditioning Lager with Priming Sugar and/or Yeast

I've completed diacetyl rest and transferred to secondary 5 gallon carboy for lagering (say 3-5 weeks). After a few weeks lagering, I anticipate bottling but am curious how adding the priming sugar is ...
nhunsaker's user avatar