First time....

[domdadom]

Hey everyone this is my first post here just a quick question.
Its my first time brewing and instead of ale i've decided to do lager. I have done the 1st fermentation and siphoned the lager into a pressure barrell with more sugar for the 2nd fermentation (I think thats what it is?), this was a about 12 days ago and since then i've moved the barrell to a cool place. My question is if I want to try the beer to see how it tastes will this ruin the fizz if i leave the beer for a few more days after i try it?
I know you can get co2 injectors but i dont have one right now although i might by one for next time.
Thanks in advance for any replies

 

[iswenson]

Did you use a hydrometer to take gravity readings? what was the recipe. what temp did you ferment at and for how long.?

 

[iron_city_ap]

I don't know a heck of alot about brewing, but I'd guess people with far more experience than me would say to leave it alone.

 

[domdadom]

iswenson its just a youngs lager kit i just followed the instructions, i left to ferment at around 22-24 degrees c for 6 days i think it was, yeah i did use a hydrometer i made sure that the readings were constant before siphoning into the pressure barrell and adding the extra sugar but since then i havent taken any readings. I then left the pressure barrell at about 22 degrees again for another week before moving to my garage which is around 3 or 4 degrees to cool.
I've probably messed it up somehow it, but from what i can see it does look the right colour and when i moved it to the barrell there wasnt any skin or funny smell.
So do you think if i tried a bit using the tap it would go flat if i left it afterwards?

 

[dcp27]

the instructions told you to ferment a lager at 23C for 1 week? usually it would be around 10C for 3 weeks

anyway, I've never done a lager, but from what I understand, you have several more weeks of conditioning and it's not going to taste like a lager right now.

 

[domdadom]

yeah it said between 18-27C (ideally around 21C) for 4-6 days before siphoning into the pressure barrell, after checking the hydrometer readings are constant.
it said a week in a cool place should be enough but the longer i leave it the more the taste will improve

 

[iswenson]

+1 on letting a lager ferment for at least 3 weeks, usually much longer, and usually at a cooler temperature. Let yours 'chill' out in your garage for a few more weeks before trying it. You can sample it without screwing the rest up but it probobly will taste crappy. Brew another batch (Try an ale) and let that sit for 3-4 weeks then bottle it. Let it sit for 2 weeks, then drink it.

 

[Hang Glider]

Even if it says 'lager' that sounds much more like an ale. Lagers are bottom-fermenting yeasties, using cooler temps and much longer times.

Still have the yeast package? what's it say?

 

[domdadom]

nah i don't have the packet anymore but this is it, a complete starter pack basically
this one (coopers not youngs)

http://store.coopers.com.au/products/home-brew/4-home-brew-cans/lager-home-brew-concentrate-1-7kg-

I've had a look online but cant seem to find the instructions for it, however i did find the instructions for the youngs lager kit and it does say that fermentation will be complete after 4-6 days at around 21c which is the same as my instructions.

ok so sampling shouldnt ruin it if i want to leave it longer?

 

[dcp27]

i wouldn't think it'd ruin it, but i don't think its going to resemble a lager. its going to be pretty estery (fruity)