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madbird1977 · 07-22-2011, 02:10 PM

brewed up a kolsch recipe (extract kit from LHBS) and have had it fermenting for 5ish weeks. 2 in a secondary to clear it up a bit.

Lots to be ready and will take another gravity reading today but since I haven't brewed this before any tips advice on leaving it longer or anything before I move it to a corny keg and into the kegerator?

Any heart in letting it sit in the keg/kegerator a week or two to carb and ferment???

Any suggestions welcome, I'm looking for a nice summer brew.

I also have a Spotted Cow clone ready and a Two Hearted Ale clone fermenting away - the 2 hearted should be ready in 3 more weeks.

Good times ahead.

ArcaneXor · 07-22-2011, 02:21 PM

As long as it's nice and clear, it's ready for lagering. Keg the sucker, stick it in the kegerator, put some CO2 on it and forget about it for 2-6 weeks.

**corkybstewart** · 07-22-2011, 02:28 PM

I would have gone straight to kegs with this one after 3 weeks in primary. lager it in the keg and everything will drop out nicely and you'd be drinking it 2 weeks earlier.

Zixxer10R · 07-22-2011, 03:34 PM

Wait, a Kolsch is a lager? I've heard differing views on this very site.

**Pappers_** · 07-22-2011, 03:47 PM

No, Kolsch is not a lager, it uses an ale yeast and is fermented at ale temperatures. But it is standard to 'lager' it after fermentation - which just means storing it at refrigerated temperatures.

Zixxer10R · 07-22-2011, 04:17 PM

So what is the purpose of "lagering" it? Just getting it ready to drink?

JoePro · 07-22-2011, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zixxer10R

So what is the purpose of "lagering" it? Just getting it ready to drink?

You slow the yeast down to a crawl, thereby inhibiting ANY phenols or esters while lagering. In the lagering phase, your beer clarifies and conditions so clean due to the low temps and slow conditioning that it turns out crisp and refreshing.

Zixxer10R · 07-22-2011, 04:32 PM

Roger. That makes sense, and kind of what i was expecting the answer to be.

madbird1977 · 07-22-2011, 04:36 PM

Good feedback all. Thanks. So for this lagering discussion, is it wise to do this for all light brews or any can do this? I have a wine fridge that can hold a temp around 40. I used that on my only Octoberfest lager. So ferment in primary as noted then stick in the kegerator or fridge huh.... Not a bad idea.

**Pappers_** · 07-22-2011, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madbird1977

So ferment in primary as noted then stick in the kegerator or fridge huh....

Or a cave, if you have one