Diacetyl Rest

3bals · 02-27-2009, 07:23 PM

Just checking to see if I'm doing this right.

I've had my Grain Belt Premium Lager in the primary since 2/11/09. It just stopped airlock activity a day or so ago at 47-57 deg F.

Last night I moved the fermentor from my shop boileroom/lagering room to the house laundry/ale fermentering room at about 65-70 deg F

Today I notice some airlock activity, which I expected with the movement and the temp change. I plan on leaving it here for about a week or so before I take a hydrometer reading and rack to a secondary with gelatin as fining for a couple more weeks back into the boileroom/lagering room, before kegging.

Do you think this is the right squence of events to make a good lager or am I way off?

Bob · 02-27-2009, 07:33 PM

You're on the right track, but I really think your rest temperature is way too high. You only need to boost the temperature by 10degF or so for 24-48 hours.

Cheers,

Bob

rsmith179 · 02-27-2009, 07:41 PM

As NQ stated, sounds like you're pretty much on track. I do agree about the Diacetyl rest temps though. According to John Palmer, you should be bringing your beer back up to about 55-60 °F for 24 - 48 hours before cooling it down for the lagering period. This will ensure that the Diacetyl is converted/consumed while no releasing any other by products that wouldn't be wanted in your lager. Here's a quick link to Palmer's site regarding Lagers:

How to Brew - By John Palmer - What is Different for Brewing Lager Beer?

There is quite a bit of good information contained on this site as it is bascially his book in digital form. Hope this helps!

3bals · 02-27-2009, 08:19 PM

Thanks for the input. I checked the temp on the primary bucket and see that it is 66 deg F.

Now I do have windows in both of my fermentation rooms. Not direct sunlight, but light. To overcome this I cover my fermentors with black garbage bags, with a hole for the airlock to stick out. So I can see it work. In the colder area I also cover that with a bath towel to prevent temp shock when a door gets opened and such. When I moved the Lager to the warmer room I also used the towel for the same reasons, except for higher temps of laundry activities.

Folowing your reconmended reading and your sugestions, I think I'll rack to the secondary and move back to the cooler area tonight, as it's been 24 hrs since I warmed it up.