Basic Lagering in bottle process

[DeanRIowa]

I plan on the following process for lagers:

• Ferment in 40's/50's
• Diacetyl 5-7 days, in 60's

Basic question is do I lager first or carbonate first? Which bottle lagering process option should I follow?

option 1)

• Prime, bottle, allow to carbonate(60's) for 2-3 weeks
• Lager(30's) for 4 weeks
• Store(60's)

option 2)

• Prime, bottle, and lager(30's) for 4 weeks
• Store and allow bottles to carbonate(60's) for 2-3 week

Currently secondary lagering other than in the winter is not an option at this time.

thank you,
Dean

 

[Keith81]

I've never bottled a lager but I'd go with option 1 just because it's fewer temp changes, you are already at your desired bottling temp after the d-rest so might as well carb then.

 

[IslandLizard]

Option 1) of course.
Carbonation after lagering as in method 2) will bring the settled yeast back into suspension.

I've never heard anyone lagering in bottles. Let us know how it turns out and if it's a useful alternative method.

One thing to remember, lager yeast is very powdery, it doesn't settle as a solid cake on the bottom as many ale yeasts do. The slightest shake or turbulence when pouring out may rouse it back into suspension, giving you cloudy beer again.

 

[Steve-Ooo]

Option 1 is what John Palmer recommends in "How To Brew".

 

[Iseneye]

Out of those 2 I would choose option 1. If you have the fridge space I would store it at cold temps rather than room temp. Staling occurs quicker at room temp.

 

[DeanRIowa]

Option 1 it is. That is what I assumed, but thought I would ask.

thank you all!

Dean