So I want to do my first lager, maibock, and I am going to attempt this my emptying my kegerator mini fridge to use just for the ferment. I don't have a fridge to ferment usually, just a Son of Chiller type box, so I can't get cold enough to lager.
I want to cover all my bases and building up enough yeast is key for a good, diacetyl free lager, but in order to get the yeast I will need between 5 and 9 liters of starter, according to Mr Malty for my recipe (1.070 SG and between sitting or shaking the starter)
I was thinking about making a small batch of beer if I am going to be making so much wasted starter wort, If I make 3 gallons of a light session beer I would be wasting less, no?
But, I was wondering if I could make a lager starter using cold ale temps at 60-62 F or so, and if this would affect the health of the lager yeast for my Maibock?
I hope to only have my kegerator out of commission for about a month or so for the Maibock and would love to just ferm this "starter" beer like a cream ale or something, but I don't know if the resulting yeast would then be conditioned for warmer temps and not work as well as between 48 and 50 (where I want to ferment my Maibock).
I want to cover all my bases and building up enough yeast is key for a good, diacetyl free lager, but in order to get the yeast I will need between 5 and 9 liters of starter, according to Mr Malty for my recipe (1.070 SG and between sitting or shaking the starter)
I was thinking about making a small batch of beer if I am going to be making so much wasted starter wort, If I make 3 gallons of a light session beer I would be wasting less, no?
But, I was wondering if I could make a lager starter using cold ale temps at 60-62 F or so, and if this would affect the health of the lager yeast for my Maibock?
I hope to only have my kegerator out of commission for about a month or so for the Maibock and would love to just ferm this "starter" beer like a cream ale or something, but I don't know if the resulting yeast would then be conditioned for warmer temps and not work as well as between 48 and 50 (where I want to ferment my Maibock).