How to ferment a lager?
  • jlwjlw
    Posts: 16,454
    I pitched a 3L starter for my marzen at 54*. How long do I leave in primary and do I leave it at this temp? Since this is an Oktoberfest how long do I secondary and at what temp? And are there any other steps to lagering?
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,777
    keep it there for about two-three weeks, then bring it up to around 70 for three days (diacytel rest) then slowly bring it back to 54ish over the course of two-three days. leave it there for another few weeks, then toss it in a keg and keep it under 40F for as long as you can stand it.
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • jlwjlw
    Posts: 16,454
    FromZwolle said:

    keep it there for about two-three weeks, then bring it up to around 70 for three days (diacytel rest) then slowly bring it back to 54ish over the course of two-three days. leave it there for another few weeks, then toss it in a keg and keep it under 40F for as long as you can stand it.


    I plan on not tapping until September for Oktoberfest.
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,777
    jlw said:

    FromZwolle said:

    keep it there for about two-three weeks, then bring it up to around 70 for three days (diacytel rest) then slowly bring it back to 54ish over the course of two-three days. leave it there for another few weeks, then toss it in a keg and keep it under 40F for as long as you can stand it.


    I plan on not tapping until September for Oktoberfest.


    that's a good plan. you need give it at least 6 weeks to lager, but the longer you let it go, the better.
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • jlwjlw
    Posts: 16,454
    One more question. Do you usually need a blow off setup with a lager?
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,777
    jlw said:

    One more question. Do you usually need a blow off setup with a lager?



    i never do, but it ferment in a bucket with at least 5 inches of head space. lagers tend to be less aggressive in the fermentation, due to the lowered temps.
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,777
    that said, better safe than sorry. a blow off won't hurt anything.
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • beerluvverbeerluvver
    Posts: 13
    i always use a blow off tube when in primary. if i secondary or lager something, i'll switch over to a bubbler.
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    beerluvver said:

    i always use a blow off tube when in primary. if i secondary or lager something, i'll switch over to a bubbler.



    same here
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • jlwjlw
    Posts: 16,454
    beerluvver said:

    i always use a blow off tube when in primary. if i secondary or lager something, i'll switch over to a bubbler.



    I have an airlock on the fermenter
  • jlwjlw
    Posts: 16,454
    @beerluvver thanks again for the advice.
  • scoobscoob
    Posts: 16,617
    I missed the boat on my lager, maybe I could roll one soon though. I really miss brewing!
    Jesus didn't wear pants
  • JayrizzleJayrizzle
    Posts: 90,648
    oh right, I have a lager chilling in the basement. I should bottle at some point.
    I just used an air lock on it, and with little head space, half what I give for ales. I don't know that I'd recommend that, or even do it again myself, but it worked out fine.
    image
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    Dr_Jerryrigger said:

    oh right, I have a lager chilling in the basement. I should bottle at some point.
    I just used an air lock on it, and with little head space, half what I give for ales. I don't know that I'd recommend that, or even do it again myself, but it worked out fine.



    slow and steady - that makes a good lager.

    beerluvver
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • JayrizzleJayrizzle
    Posts: 90,648
    Lakewood said:


    slow and steady - that makes a good lager.



    I hope so, because that's been clogging up my pipe line for a long time now.
    image
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    Dr_Jerryrigger said:

    Lakewood said:


    slow and steady - that makes a good lager.



    I hope so, because that's been clogging up my pipe line for a long time now.


    that's the only gripe i have with lagers... they are in-process forever.... of course we have a whole thread on patience being a virtue.... whatever.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • JayrizzleJayrizzle
    Posts: 90,648
    Lakewood said:

    Dr_Jerryrigger said:

    Lakewood said:


    slow and steady - that makes a good lager.



    I hope so, because that's been clogging up my pipe line for a long time now.


    that's the only gripe i have with lagers... they are in-process forever.... of course we have a whole thread on patience being a virtue.... whatever.


    One thing I can say for lagers is that it's easier to forget about them (and therefore age them proper like) because they aren't in your living room (unless you're a major cheapskate on your heat)
    image
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    Dr_Jerryrigger said:

    Lakewood said:

    Dr_Jerryrigger said:

    Lakewood said:


    slow and steady - that makes a good lager.



    I hope so, because that's been clogging up my pipe line for a long time now.


    that's the only gripe i have with lagers... they are in-process forever.... of course we have a whole thread on patience being a virtue.... whatever.


    One thing I can say for lagers is that it's easier to forget about them (and therefore age them proper like) because they aren't in your living room (unless you're a major cheapskate on your heat)


    even in winter my house couldn't be cold enough to lager.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • jlwjlw
    Posts: 16,454
    @FromZwolle after the diacetyl rest is two weeks at 54* long enough before cold storage?
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,777
    jlw said:

    @FromZwolle after the diacetyl rest is two weeks at 54* long enough before cold storage?



    That should be fine. The longer the better, but two weeks is enough time for most gravities.
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
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