I'm brewing a lager (vienna style) for the 1st time. It's one week into primary fermentation. I've got a plan but would like to know what other's think.
The yeast is Wyeast Bohemian lager 2124 and it's an extract base with a small amount (~1lb) of specialty grains and about 2oz liberty and saaz hops (both low alpha acid). O.G. 1046.
My plan is
- 2 weeks primary fermentation at 52F.
assuming I see no activity in my airlock at the end of two weeks
(otherwise I'll wait longer)
- diacetyl rest, bring the temp up to 58F for 2 days.
The fridge regulator will be set to 58F for 48 hours. I expect some
lag in the wort temp so the actual time at 58F will be somewhat less.
The yeast description says it "benefits" from a 24 hour rest at 58F.
- rack to a secondary carboy. back to the fridge.
- lager time - 4 weeks. Start at 52F (the original fermentation temperature) for a few days then start to crank down the temp. Probably drop it a couple of degrees each day until I get to 45. Then just wait out the rest of the 4 weeks.
(I could go longer but I'm impatient and have no other homebrew ready).
- bottle. Think I'll use some dry yeast and 1.5C dme to prime it.
return bottles to the fridge for conditioning. I think I want to do this a below room temperature also. 6 weeks at 50F.
What do you think? Is it a good plan? Anything that should be done differently?
The yeast is Wyeast Bohemian lager 2124 and it's an extract base with a small amount (~1lb) of specialty grains and about 2oz liberty and saaz hops (both low alpha acid). O.G. 1046.
My plan is
- 2 weeks primary fermentation at 52F.
assuming I see no activity in my airlock at the end of two weeks
(otherwise I'll wait longer)
- diacetyl rest, bring the temp up to 58F for 2 days.
The fridge regulator will be set to 58F for 48 hours. I expect some
lag in the wort temp so the actual time at 58F will be somewhat less.
The yeast description says it "benefits" from a 24 hour rest at 58F.
- rack to a secondary carboy. back to the fridge.
- lager time - 4 weeks. Start at 52F (the original fermentation temperature) for a few days then start to crank down the temp. Probably drop it a couple of degrees each day until I get to 45. Then just wait out the rest of the 4 weeks.
(I could go longer but I'm impatient and have no other homebrew ready).
- bottle. Think I'll use some dry yeast and 1.5C dme to prime it.
return bottles to the fridge for conditioning. I think I want to do this a below room temperature also. 6 weeks at 50F.
What do you think? Is it a good plan? Anything that should be done differently?