Brewing My First Lager

[CrescentHorizons]

I just finished brewing my first lager. I have my temperature controller set to 53 degrees. What temperature should the wort be before I pitch the yeast? I am using Wyeast Oktoberfest blend and I did a yeast starter yesterday. Currently it is sitting in my Better Bottle at 72 degrees and still in cool down mode.

 

[JohnnyO]

It's best to pitch at fermentation temperatures. If you can't get it down to 50F, try to get it down as low as you can, and you should do a diacetyl rest after 10-14 days before starting to gradually go down to lagering temps.

 

[CrescentHorizons]

It's best to pitch at fermentation temperatures. If you can't get it down to 50F, try to get it down as low as you can, and you should do a diacetyl rest after 10-14 days before starting to gradually go down to lagering temps.

Can you explain the dactyl rest process please.

 

[funkswing]

Diacetyl Rest - as fermentation starts to wind down slowly raise the temp ~5 - 10 F to help the yeast finish cleaning up the fermentation byproducts, of which diacetyl can be one.

If you don't pitch sufficient amounts of yeast and don't pitch at fermentation temperature its a recommended step.

 

[Bernie Brewer]

A D-rest is only necessary if there is diacetyl present. Give your beer a taste when fermentation is about 3/4 done. If it tastes butterscotchy, then you have diacetyl, and need to bring the beer to room temp for a few days.

I typically pitch at ale temps and as soon as fermentation takes hold I drop the temp down to 50 deg. I don't usually need to do a rest, but on occasion I have had to. But it is no biggie, the d-rest cleans it all up. A lot of people on here don't like that method, but there really is nothing wrong with either method.

 

[CrescentHorizons]

My primary has been sitting at 48 degrees for 3 weeks. There is no more activity but there is still a slight foam cap. Is this typical and is it alright to enter the lagering phase?

 

[Yooper]

My primary has been sitting at 48 degrees for 3 weeks. There is no more activity but there is still a slight foam cap. Is this typical and is it alright to enter the lagering phase?

What's the current SG, and have you done the diacetyl rest yet?

 

[funkswing]

What was the OG? It is prolly done by now, unless the OG was >1.060.


You could always take a hydro sample (for the FG), and at the same time taste for diacetyl. If it has a buttery-sweetness, then do a D-rest for a few days. If not, crash cool for a week or so then keg/bottle.