First Pilsner, Lagering Question

[DayLghtBreaks]

I just brewed my first lager on the 4th. Pilsner with hallertau hops during the boil then a touch of nelson at whirlpool. It's currently fermenting in the low 50's then I plan to slowly raise the temp up for a diacetyl rest.

My question is after that's done, I plan to transfer it to a keg to lager for 6-8 weeks at 35°, (not trying to rush the lagering process) can I start carbing the beer while it's lagering or do I wait the 6-8 weeks before I hit it with co2?

 

[Cavpilot2000]

People do it either way. Before I started spunding, I would usually carbonate after the lagering period, but now that I spund, I lager with it carbonated.

Just make sure you flush/purge your lagering keg before filling it.

 

[jdauria]

[QUOTE="DayLghtBreaks, post: 8633679, member: 257744"My question is after that's done, I plan to transfer it to a keg to lager for 6-8 weeks at 35°, (not trying to rush the lagering process) can I start carbing the beer while it's lagering or do I wait the 6-8 weeks before I hit it with co2?[/QUOTE]

You can carbonate it, but make sure you get it carbonate it when it drops back down to cooler temps. I make a lot of lagers and carbonate naturally with a spunding valve and then lager the beer, but CO2 works too.

 

[DayLghtBreaks]

Alright, I'll plan to start carbing it once I transfer it to the purged keg. I'm thinking that would be the better option to keep any oxygen out as it ages as well.