Opinions needed....Too late for an Oktoberfest?

Q2XL · 07-08-2009, 09:46 PM

My niece has asked me to brew her an Oktoberfest to celebrate her wedding on October 3rd. I have never brewed a lager, but I have confidence that I can pull it off. Just not sure if I have enough time.

What do you guys think?

Edit: I will be bottling.

**AZ_IPA** · 07-08-2009, 09:47 PM

I haven't tried it - but EdWort's Oktoberfast Ale has received good reviews...

ifishsum · 07-08-2009, 09:51 PM

I believe you mean BierMuncher's OktoberFAST:

Recipe

**ShortSnoutBrewing** · 07-08-2009, 09:51 PM

A to the letter Oktoberfest? Yes, too late. Those should be brewed in March I believe. BUT, there are Oktoberfest like brews that you've got some time for.

**petep1980** · 07-08-2009, 09:53 PM

HELL NO!!!!! Mine is going in next Tuesday. Even with a month in primary you still have 7 weeks of lagering available.

**uwjester** · 07-08-2009, 09:59 PM

I think you will be fine. Assuming you brew this weekend and ferment it out for 2 weeks, you still have something like 10 weeks to lager. How will you be serving it? Kegs? Perfect. Bottles? You still have 7 weeks of lagering.

If you have never brewed a lager, can I make a couple of suggestions? You probably want a bigger starter than you usually use. Ferment at a fairly low temp (I do mine at 50F) for 7 - 10 days, then bring the temp up to about 68F for one day and then slowly drop it back down, 1 or 2 degrees per day.

macabra11 · 07-08-2009, 10:02 PM

I think you will be fine. There is still time. Try looking up stuff about Viennas - I believe they are just young Oktoberfests, but have pretty much the same ingredients. Or do the OktoberFAST ale, and cold condition for 6 weeks.

SavageSteve · 07-08-2009, 10:10 PM

PLENTY of time... just get to brewin' very soon! You still have time to do it as a lager, not an ale. The longer it lagers, the tastier it will be. I didn't brew last year's Oktoberfest until late July, and it was awesome by Oktober... err... October.

-Steve

homebrewer_99 · 07-08-2009, 10:13 PM

Traditionally, yes, you are too late (for lageringin in a cave), but you actually have plenty of time if you use a fridge for fermenting and lagering.

**AZ_IPA** · 07-08-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ifishsum

I believe you mean BierMuncher's OktoberFAST:

Recipe

yes, yes - BM is the OktoberFAST, but Ed also has an Oktoberfest ale:

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f63/bee-cave-brewery-oktoberfest-ale-38880/