Combining lagering and force-carbonation times

[ocwo92]

I intend to bring some homebrew for a get-together with old school mates but I'm going to be slightly pressed for time with my current Schwarzbier. It will be lagering at a little below 32 °F for about a month but then I may have to start force-carbonating it in order to meet our schedule. Unfortunately that's a little on the short end in terms of lagering time.

I'll be keeping the beer at its lagering temperature while force-carbonating it, so I'm thinking: will the days under CO2 pressure count as lagering time, or does something happen during carbonization that stops the lagering process?

 

[porterpounder]

As long as the primary fermentation and rest is complete, the lagering step will get rid of a few trace components (sulfur) and allow the beer to clear to brilliant clarity. Carbonating after 4 weeks for a low to mid-strength schwarzbier should not affect this process. It should be fine.

 

[ocwo92]

That's my theory, too. And considering it's a schwarzbier, I suppose the clarity is a little less critical. It may be just a little green yet but not way too young.