Give up on stuck lager ferment?

Brewer's Friend 728
Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum

Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
M

mtbaesl

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2008
Messages
62
Reaction score
0
Location
Syracuse, NY
So, I brewed up my first ever lager, a Munich Dunkel. O.G. was 1.055, yeast was WLP833, I used an appropriate sized starter, and oxygenated with pure O2 for about 30 seconds (in retrospect not enough?). I did also use some yeast nutrient at the end of the boil. I pitched at 45F, left it there for 24 hrs, then raised it to 50F. Ferment took off after I raised it to 50F. Then, no airlock activity after 7-8 days, left it for 3 weeks. Figured it was done, so transferred to secondary and found my S.G = 1.021 (target 1.016). So I then brought the temp up to 60F, added yeast nutrient and energizer and left it for 5 days. No change in gravity, pitched some dry yeast onto it, still no change. I figure I am screwed and I should just begin to lager. Would you guys agree at this point? Not really sure what went wrong for future efforts, the only thing I can think of is maybe should have oxygenated more? Thoughts?

Also, do I need to transfer off of the new yeast that I pitched. I know you want to get it off the spent yeast before I lager for 6-8 weeks, which I did inititally before I added more yeast that didn't do crap. So, do I lager now, or transfer to tertiary and then lager?

Thanks
Mark
 
mtbaesl said:
So, I brewed up my first ever lager, a Munich Dunkel. O.G. was 1.055, yeast was WLP833, I used an appropriate sized starter, and oxygenated with pure O2 for about 30 seconds (in retrospect not enough?). I did also use some yeast nutrient at the end of the boil. I pitched at 45F, left it there for 24 hrs, then raised it to 50F. Ferment took off after I raised it to 50F. Then, no airlock activity after 7-8 days, left it for 3 weeks. Figured it was done, so transferred to secondary and found my S.G = 1.021 (target 1.016). So I then brought the temp up to 60F, added yeast nutrient and energizer and left it for 5 days. No change in gravity, pitched some dry yeast onto it, still no change. I figure I am screwed and I should just begin to lager. Would you guys agree at this point? Not really sure what went wrong for future efforts, the only thing I can think of is maybe should have oxygenated more? Thoughts?

Also, do I need to transfer off of the new yeast that I pitched. I know you want to get it off the spent yeast before I lager for 6-8 weeks, which I did inititally before I added more yeast that didn't do crap. So, do I lager now, or transfer to tertiary and then lager?

Thanks
Mark
Click to expand...

I assume you used a hydrometer (and not a refractometer)? I'd do the diacetyl rest warmer, if you can- try bringing it up to 68 degrees and let it sit for 48 hours. No need for more yeast- it could be done if you have a recipe with quite a few crystal malts (especially dark crystal) or if you mashed at a higher mash temp (over 154 degrees or so).

What was the recipe and the mash temp?
 
Yeah, I did use a hydrometer. The recipe was 97% german munich, 3% carafa special 2. Target mash was 154F, but it hit 155F and I just left it there. I can bring it up to 68F easily with the fermwrap, so I guess I'll give it a shot.

Thanks Yooper!
 
mtbaesl said:
Yeah, I did use a hydrometer. The recipe was 97% german munich, 3% carafa special 2. Target mash was 154F, but it hit 155F and I just left it there. I can bring it up to 68F easily with the fermwrap, so I guess I'll give it a shot.

Thanks Yooper!
Click to expand...

I'd guess that 155 as a mash temp means lots of unfermentables, and a FG of 1.021 or so isn't too terrible. Try the 68 degree diacetyl rest, as it may give you a few more points, and then rack and go ahead with lagering. If it doesn't drop anymore, then it's done so lagering would be the next step after the racking.
 
mtbaesl said:
So you would rack again then (to tertiary)? Get it off as much of the yeast as possible?
Click to expand...

Yes, definitely. See if it drops more (or not) then rack and get ready for lagering.

First, I would never rack before a diacetyl rest anyway, especially if you weren't at FG, but since it's been racked there is nothing else to do except rack and lager.
 
Sorry for yet another "Stuck Ferment/First Lager" thread highjacking, but, I have a similar stuck lager primary right now.
It's been holding at 1.022 for 2 wks, 60*F.
OG was 1.055,
6# Munich,
4# Rauch,
1# Vienna
12 oz CaraMunich
mashed @ 154-155*F/90mins
OG : 1.055

I initially began fermentation at 65*F/ 12 hrs, then 52*F/ 10 days, after my first SG of 1.025, I brought it inside to D-rest at 60*F. That was 2 wks ago with no action, no drop in gravity. I've roused the yeast and considered using Alpha Emylase(?), but would rather not mess with it any more. The taste is nice. No DMS, no butter no veg. Not sweet, but the smoke is kinda absent. Strange considering how much Rauch malt is in the bill. I should also mention I dumped this brew right on top of a successful lager brew yeast cake of S23 just previous, but added another packet as well.
Thoughts on this brew, HBTers? Should I go ahead and keg/lager this badride? Be gentle, folks, tis only my 2nd lager, and 1st stuck ferment... Thanx all! Love this forum!!!!
 
Yooper said:
It really sounds done. I don't think it'll budge any lower, so if you can stand it a little sweet, I'd keg it and lager it and call it finished.
Click to expand...

Thanx Yoop. It's just a little on the sweet side. Prolly not half bad once its aged, carbed and cold. I'm gonna keg it and try to forget about it for the winter. Any ideas where the smoke went?
 
crushingblackdoom said:
Thanx Yoop. It's just a little on the sweet side. Prolly not half bad once its aged, carbed and cold. I'm gonna keg it and try to forget about it for the winter. Any ideas where the smoke went?
Click to expand...

It's weird, but I've had fresh rauchmalt that is super smoky, and then some not-so-fresh that had little smoke. I'd have to guess and say yours wasn't all that smoky to begin with.
 

Similar threads

V
No sign of fermentation after 48 hrs
Replies
3
Views
351
odie
odie
Jkrags
Light Lager Stuck Fermentation
Replies
11
Views
490
VikeMan
VikeMan
mattman91
Stalled Fermentation?
Replies
3
Views
457
hotbeer
hotbeer
Gadjobrinus
Festbier seemingly stuck at 1.030?
Replies
15
Views
724
Gadjobrinus
Gadjobrinus
SFC Rudy
Secondary Fermentation Yes, no or maybe?
Replies
10
Views
322
hottpeper13
H
Williams Brewing 300

Latest posts

Back
Top