First time brewing a steam-type beer

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by mellostello, Oct 16, 2012.

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  1. mellostello

    mellostello Initiate (0) Apr 4, 2009 New York

    Brewing a Cali-Common style beer...

    2.5 Gallon BIAB
    5# Crisp Maris Otter
    8oz Weyermann CaraMunich III
    4oz Breiss Organic Carapils
    2oz Breiss Cherrywood Smoke Malt
    Mashed 90min @ 154-150
    60min 3/4oz Glacier Leaf
    20min 1/2oz Crystal Pellets
    5min 1/2oz Crystal Pellets
    15min 1/2tbsp Irish Moss
    10min 1/2tbsp Wyeast Nutrient
    Cooled to 80F in 1 hour
    Cooled to 58F in wine fridge (took almost 12 hours)
    Pitched 1 packet of WY2112 (no starter)
    OG=1.055
    FG=1.016 target

    This is my first time using a lager yeast. Is 58F too cold to ferment this?
    Also, when should I raise it for diacetyl rest? Based on what I've read, I was planning to do a week at 58-59 then raise it 1F per day to 64-65 and leave it there for a few days. Then drop back to low 50s for 2-3 weeks before bottling. Might dry hop 1oz crystal for the last week.

    Any suggestions/critiques?
     
    #1 mellostello, Oct 16, 2012
  2. Tebuken

    Tebuken Initiate (0) Jun 6, 2009 Argentina

    I think 58 F is too warm, it is better to ferment at 52F.Also, you need a starter to pitch enough viable yeast.Lager beer needs more yeast cells than ales.
     
    #2 Tebuken, Oct 16, 2012
  3. utahbeerdude

    utahbeerdude Maven (1,374) May 2, 2006 Utah

    Wyeast recommends 58 to 68 F for this strain, claiming it retains lager characteristics up to 65 F. They do not recommend colder temperatures. If I were doing a steam type beer I think I shoot for the low 60s with this yeast. I suspect that this will produce the hybrid characteristics that a steam beer is supposed to have.
     
    #3 utahbeerdude, Oct 16, 2012
    mrjimcat and nozferatu46 like this.
  4. mellostello

    mellostello Initiate (0) Apr 4, 2009 New York

    1 vote for 52 and 1 vote for low 60s. Guess I will stick with 58-59 as a compromise. @Tebuken: I just checked mr malty and realized that even with the hybrid setting I did underpitch a little for a 2.5 gallon batch... Hopefully raising this to mid 60's for a week and leaving it on the yeast for at least a full month will clean that up.
    Thanks for the input!
     
    #4 mellostello, Oct 16, 2012
  5. afrokaze

    afrokaze Pooh-Bah (1,962) Jun 12, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Most people would say that Northern Brewer is crucial to the style, even a little early addition and one late one would give you some decent character. I did an extract one for my first batch with the same yeast and the only option I had was my basement, which was 58-63 F. I thought the batch came out good and had enough of the lager and ale yeast flavors.
     
    #5 afrokaze, Oct 16, 2012
  6. premierpro

    premierpro Savant (1,060) Mar 21, 2009 Michigan

    58 degrees is the lowest temp I would ferment with this yeast. I use this yeast alot and I ferment it at 66 degrees. A very clean yeast.
     
    #6 premierpro, Oct 16, 2012
  7. premierpro

    premierpro Savant (1,060) Mar 21, 2009 Michigan

    Just because you use the Cali common yeast strain does not make for a Steam Beer.
     
    #7 premierpro, Oct 16, 2012
    afrokaze likes this.
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