LAGER HELP

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Timmush, Jan 13, 2014.

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  1. Timmush

    Timmush Pundit (931) Jan 5, 2008 New Jersey

    When it is time to lager in the 30's for the last step, what temperature do you do this at?
    Also, when you keg prior to dropping to this temp, do you add co2 and keep it on the co2? what PSI, thanks.
     
  2. hopsandmalt

    hopsandmalt Initiate (0) Dec 14, 2006 Michigan

    I have always force carbed while lagering at about 34F. At that temp you should have it at about 6-9 PSI depending on style.


    Here is a link to a handy pressure/temp/volumes of CO2 chart:

    http://www.kegerators.com/carbonation-table.php

    I have a copy of this magneted to my keezer.
     
    JohnSnowNW and FATC1TY like this.
  3. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    “When it is time to lager in the 30's for the last step, what temperature do you do this at?”

    I am guessing that you know the difference between the ‘stages’ of primary fermentation and the later stage of lagering (referred to as secondary fermentation) but:
    • You need to primary ferment at cool temperatures like 50°F
    • The ‘second’ stage of secondary fermentation (lagering) needs to occur cold
    So, what is the ‘definition’ of cold? The general answer is something below 40°F. Some BA’s will tell you that the ‘answer’ is around freezing (32°F). As a homebrewer it is your choice. You should lager cold but you get to decide whether freezing temperatures are necessary.

    Cheers!
     
  4. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    I lager at 40F.

    I usually keep just enough CO2 pressure to maintain a seal while lagering. At the end of the lagering period, I carbonate to style.
     
  5. FATC1TY

    FATC1TY Pooh-Bah (2,564) Feb 12, 2012 Georgia
    Pooh-Bah

    I took others advice here when I did my first czech pils, and lagered at my keeer temps. Only because I wanted to free up my fermentation freezer for some other ales at a common temp, and I had a keg and room for it.

    I did 36* for 5 weeks and was impressed with what I got.

    I had the beer in primary and left it there, allowed it to warm to do a diactyl rest, and then started the lagering at 36* for a week. I then moved to a the keg, and kept it there, while carbonating it at 9-10PSI.

    Turned out great. I think it's akin to dryhopping an IPA in the keg while carbing it. I can do two things at once, and keep the movement to a minimum.
     
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