Was the primary too cold?

**Bulls Beers** · 10-27-2007, 06:55 PM

I brewed pilsner last saturday. I was gonna rack t into the secondary today, I did a gravity check and it still was pretty high. 1.020. The FG should be around 1.012-14. I kept the primary at a fairly cold temp. The first few days i kept it between 68-72F, but after that i kept the temp in between 55-60F. Did i keep it too cold?

**david_42** · 10-27-2007, 07:52 PM

Depends on the yeast. 55-60F is low for most ales yeasts and high for lagers.

**Bulls Beers** · 10-27-2007, 07:56 PM

I used White Labs WLP 800 Pilsner lager yeast..I dont really have the means to lower it anymore than low 50's, So should i raise it back up to the mid sixties?

**david_42** · 10-28-2007, 02:41 PM

Leave it where it is. Lagers take longer to ferment than ales.

**Bulls Beers** · 10-31-2007, 10:33 PM

I raised the temp alittle, still at 1.020. 2nd reading in 4 days later and still .020. Should i rack it to the secondary or leave it?

**cubbies** · 11-01-2007, 01:02 PM

Was this an extract kit?

What was your OG?

For that yeast, I would say your temp is too high. According to WL, 55 is the max. It may not be a bad idea to rouse your yeast a little by giving it a swirl. However, without answers to the first two questions, I cant really give a great answer.

**Bulls Beers** · 11-01-2007, 01:35 PM

Yes it was an extract kit. My OG was 1.044. After a week, I too two readings in 4 days and they were both 1.020. I racked it last night into the secondary. I've been watching it this morning and it's been bubbling alot right now. WTF!! i probably should of left it alone for a few more days..What do ya think cub?

**cubbies** · 11-01-2007, 02:56 PM

Yes, you should have left it.

The reason I ask the questions I did, is because in a non-exract brew, it is possible to create unfermentable sugars (just happened to me actually), and there is ways to resolve that problem. Also, the OG is important because if your OG was high, say, I dunno, 1.070, 1.020 is not all that bad. And the beer likely would be finished.

I think what it all comes down to is you got it off the yeast too soon. It appears to be fermenting now, so maybe no harm no foul, just chalk it up to a learning experience. Next time, especially with a lager, just give it some time and maybe swirl it a bit to rouse the yeast back into suspension.

**Bulls Beers** · 11-01-2007, 04:43 PM

I just hope i don't have any bottle bombs...Will the yeast keep working in the secondary? Maybe i can get that FG down..

**cubbies** · 11-01-2007, 05:32 PM

Yes, whatever yeast is still in suspension (which is probably plenty) will continue to do their work. I would let it sit for a while before lagering it.