Lager Question

I brewed my first lager two weeks ago...an Oktoberfest Marzen. It was my first lager and my first partial mash AND this will be my first kegging experience. (I'm like a triple virgin of sorts huh) I have been doing extract brewing for 4 very long years. The temp is my basement has been a steady 55 degrees for the last two weeks. So here's my question: If I want to prime with corn sugar, when do I add the sugar? Do I do that now or after it has lagered for 4 months or so? Just don't want to screw it up. I have a 5 pound Co2 tank so I guess I could force carb but I guess at this point I would like to save the money and just carb naturally. Any input would be appreciated.

On a totally different note, I am starting my keezer build also! I have the wife's permission to have in our dining room as long as it turns out nice. Not sure how to take that but whatever right!

I ordered 3 more partial mash kits on Monday from Austin Homebrew...an imperial IPA, an Imperial Oktoberfest, and an Oaked Imperial Whiskey Stout. I guess I just love the high octane stuff :rockin:

Scooby

If you have finished your brew and are ready to lager, you can add the sugar you are using to prime with and let the beer carbonate in a warm place. When carbonation has been achieved, you can then lager your brew.
You can also lager it first and then remove to a warm place and carbonate it then.

boo boo said:

If you have finished your brew and are ready to lager, you can add the sugar you are using to prime with and let the beer carbonate in a warm place. When carbonation has been achieved, you can then lager your brew.
You can also lager it first and then remove to a warm place and carbonate it then.

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Yep, finished the brew...I hit my targets right on. I appreciate the reply boo boo. So there's no real difference either way huh?

If I had a kegging system I would force carb it. The one step in the process that I always feel the most vulnerable is the bottling/carbing. I've had multiple beers taste great after the secondary only to have the bottled brew be a total flop, like my current IPA. It is drinkable, but only after you release the gas and let the volcano happen for about 15 minutes. You've lost about a quarter of the bottle by then.

Carb it now, lager it in the bottle. I agree with the above, though; I would force carb it...in which case just lager it in the keg.