My Pilsner Didn't "Go", Now It's a Lager

I brewed a malty pilsner this weekend and drew off some of the wort for a starter for my Czech Pilsner Wyeast. The starter was set at 52 degrees as the wort sat in the freezer waiting patiently to have the yeast multiply and then be added.

After 48 hours there was no action with the pilsner yeast despite repeated stirrings and shakings. I dumped the pils yeast and wort into the carboy for 12 hours. Still no action. I am now on to phase two where I have added some Boehemian Lager yeast to a starter from the same wort and am readying it to be dumped into the carboy with the Pils wort and yeast. The lager yeast was recaptured from a batch brewed in March of this year. We'll see how that goes.

At this point I think autolysis is my biggest danger. More a venting than any questions, I have not had a starter "fail" in the past although I have seen others here complain about this particular strain.

Pilsner is lager?

What?

autolysis takes months or really extreme conditions.

pilsner is a lager.

Really? I thought Pilsner was considered its own style unique from lagers. Makes sense as I just learned that the yeast I pitched the second time is good for a Pils or a Helles.

maltoftheearth said:

Really? I thought Pilsner was considered its own style unique from lagers. Makes sense as I just learned that the yeast I pitched the second time is good for a Pils or a Helles.

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Pilsner is a style unique to itself.

Lager is a strain of yeast. Saccharomyces Pastorianus.

All beer is either ale or lager, depending on strain of yeast used.

Pilsners use lager yeast and very light pilsner grain.

Pilsner is also a type of malt. If you pitch Saflager W-34/70, but use a 100% pilsner grain bill and saaz hops, you'll still pretty much have a pilsner.

So do you all think lagers and pilsners are the same thing? Do you use those terms interchangeably when ordering at a bar?

maltoftheearth said:

So do you all think lagers and pilsners are the same thing? Do you use those terms interchangeably when ordering at a bar?

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No. You are missing the point.

Lager describes a yeast and a technique.

Pilsner describes a style and a type of malt.

I would ask "what lagers do you have?" then say "thanks, i'll have the pilsner.

UNLESS it was a joint that had but two taps. One for Ale and one for lager. Then I'd say "Pint a lager please" and drink whatever they poured into the glass.

maltoftheearth said:

So do you all think lagers and pilsners are the same thing? Do you use those terms interchangeably when ordering at a bar?

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No. A pilsner is a lager. A specific type of lager. There are many other types of lagers as well.

maltoftheearth said:

So do you all think lagers and pilsners are the same thing? Do you use those terms interchangeably when ordering at a bar?

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No. No. If I went to a bar right now and asked for a lager, I'd hope they would give me an Octoberfest (and that would be perfect!)

http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/catdex.php

passedpawn said:

No. No. If I went to a bar right now and asked for a lager, I'd hope they would give me an Octoberfest (and that would be perfect!)

http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/catdex.php

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but prefer they ask "What lager?" before they pour you a Bud Light Lime.

GilaMinumBeer said:

but prefer they ask "What lager?" before they pour you a Bud Light Lime.

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Eeek! Ya right!

maltoftheearth said:

So do you all think lagers and pilsners are the same thing? Do you use those terms interchangeably when ordering at a bar?

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All pilsners are lagers, but not all lagers are pilsners...