How to lager about 150 beers at once....

[Dabba]

So.. I have three lagers I'm brewing at once since my basement is about the correct temperature for them during the winter. However, last time I only brewed one and the beers took up the bottom part of my fridge. I don't think I can take up 3/4 of the fridge for a month without getting yelled at.

Any suggestions? I imagine I'd need a chest fridge/freezer of some sort but what size? I'm also guessing it would probably be easier to bottle condition them and lager in individual bottles if using a minifridge or chest. Could do them one at a time.. but not sure about taking the beer out of the fridge back to room tempt after lagering.. and thats a lot of time to wait!


Thanks guys

 

[JimRausch]

How about lagering them in bulk? I don't know where you live, but if it's cold enough you can put the fermenters/secondaries out in the garage or somewhere else cold.

 

[Dabba]

How about lagering them in bulk? I don't know where you live, but if it's cold enough you can put the fermenters/secondaries out in the garage or somewhere else cold.

I've considered this but my only option would be outside.. and the temperatures here vary from -20s to +30F in winter so probably a no go.

Me and my buddy hate bottling inside. We were gonna brew a bunch during the winter then bottle in spring. I usually lager after bottle conditioning.. but then I realized I'd have 150 bottles to lager. I'm not opposed to getting a fridge or freezer to do this but I have no idea what size I'd need and what a good price is for a used one.

 

[brewshki]

I've considered this but my only option would be outside.. and the temperatures here vary from -20s to +30F in winter so probably a no go.

Me and my buddy hate bottling inside. We were gonna brew a bunch during the winter then bottle in spring. I usually lager after bottle conditioning.. but then I realized I'd have 150 bottles to lager. I'm not opposed to getting a fridge or freezer to do this but I have no idea what size I'd need and what a good price is for a used one.

If you aren't opposed to a chest freezer, I would definitely get one. then, it will lead you to kegging with is awesome. I would get at least a 7 cubic foot one and would skip the used ones. I know people have great luck with them, but my 2 used ones have died on me. I have paid about $250 for one and $160 for the other during a sale weekend.

 

[Dabba]

If you aren't opposed to a chest freezer, I would definitely get one. then, it will lead you to kegging with is awesome. I would get at least a 7 cubic foot one and would skip the used ones. I know people have great luck with them, but my 2 used ones have died on me. I have paid about $250 for one and $160 for the other during a sale weekend.

Wow that's not bad at all. Wouldnt be opposed to it at that price. Where did you find them if you don't mind my asking?

Also, would it make more sense to lager them in the carboys at that point? Though I'm not sure how it works when you bottle and try to get carbonation. Do the yeast survive lagering?

Edit: Just found a used GE 7 cu ft freezer for $160 on CL

 

[brewshki]

I have bought one from best buy and one from Home Depot. I have been able to wait each time I needed a new one, so I was able to wait for something like a Labor day/Memorial day sale. all of the big stores like the above two normally have some pretty great deals. home depot link for reference: https://www.homedepot.com/b/Appliances-Freezers-Ice-Makers-Chest-Freezers/N-5yc1vZc3nrZ12l4?NCNI-5.

I have never paid more than $100 for a used one. That may just be my area, but you can get new ones, maybe a little smaller, for the same price.

Tough question. If I were set on bottle conditioning lager, I would bottle first, let it carbonate, and then lager. I think that if you lagered it first, too much yeast would fall out of suspension and it would carbonate later unless you added more yeast. Alternatively, you could bottle it, add your priming sugar and put it in the fridge and let it carbonate there. in theory, it will carbonate, but very very very slowly. I am not a fan of lagering in the carboy as you are letting the beer sit on the yeast a long time with that method. However, I am also not a fan of secondary carboys/buckets due to increased contamination risk. As I keg, my preferred method is to lager in the keg I will serve from. I know that isn't your situation, but that is my 2 cents.

 

[Dabba]

I have bought one from best buy and one from Home Depot. I have been able to wait each time I needed a new one, so I was able to wait for something like a Labor day/Memorial day sale. all of the big stores like the above two normally have some pretty great deals. home depot link for reference: https://www.homedepot.com/b/Appliances-Freezers-Ice-Makers-Chest-Freezers/N-5yc1vZc3nrZ12l4?NCNI-5.

I have never paid more than $100 for a used one. That may just be my area, but you can get new ones, maybe a little smaller, for the same price.

Tough question. If I were set on bottle conditioning lager, I would bottle first, let it carbonate, and then lager. I think that if you lagered it first, too much yeast would fall out of suspension and it would carbonate later unless you added more yeast. Alternatively, you could bottle it, add your priming sugar and put it in the fridge and let it carbonate there. in theory, it will carbonate, but very very very slowly. I am not a fan of lagering in the carboy as you are letting the beer sit on the yeast a long time with that method. However, I am also not a fan of secondary carboys/buckets due to increased contamination risk. As I keg, my preferred method is to lager in the keg I will serve from. I know that isn't your situation, but that is my 2 cents.

Good for future knowledge for sure! I will probably stick to my method with a bigger cooler

 

[C-Rider]

Wow that's not bad at all. Wouldnt be opposed to it at that price. Where did you find them if you don't mind my asking?

Also, would it make more sense to lager them in the carboys at that point? Though I'm not sure how it works when you bottle and try to get carbonation. Do the yeast survive lagering?

Edit: Just found a used GE 7 cu ft freezer for $160 on CL

Sam's and Costco usually have 7 cu ft freezers for a good price.