Kolsch Primary/Secondary help?

Bowtiebrewery · Nov 3, 2009

I have been doing a lot of reading lately on Kolsch and have brewed a few before, however this time I have done everything based on the german purity law.

Now does this mean that i should completely follow it when it comes time to lager/filter? I'm not sure... I know i would violate that if I add gelatin to help it clear. But at the same time I do not know if Filtering is the best solution either.

Anyhow my main question is as such... Supposedly most fermentation is finished in 5-8 days with Kolsch... and based on my fermentation (which has been quite vigorous) I would say I am on track for a finish in that time frame.

Now... Do you lager at 0*C for 1 month on the primary cake, or should I secondary this in a separate carboy?

Or... Can i go strait from the primary through the filter and keg immediately and lager while on gas... I would think though that this might not yield the best results...

Any Kolsch pro's out there?

Thanks,

Jason

Suthrncomfrt1884 · Nov 3, 2009

Lagering should always be done without filtering. If you insist on filtering (which usually isn't needed in a lager), it can be done after the lagering period is done. I usually transfer from primary after 1.5-2 weeks when the krausen starts falling back in. I rack into a keg and use a lid for my keg that has a hold drilled into it for an airlock. After a few months, I rack again into a regular corny and put it on gas.

I do believe koelsch's are supposed to be filtered (according to purity laws), but as I said, I would wait until after lagering is done.

Bowtiebrewery · Nov 3, 2009

I'm just a bit concerned with Yeast Autolysis. My most logical thoughts would be that I ferment until primary is done then go into a secondary vessel, or possibly a keg with an airlock on it... I would probably not drill a hole rather i would use the existing relief valve hole... Then transfer through an inline filter after the lagering stage into a fresh keg and gas it...

I guess I'm just over thinking this one, but I want it to turn out as close to what I got in Koln.

mmb · Nov 3, 2009

Bowtiebrewery said:
I'm just a bit concerned with Yeast Autolysis. My most logical thoughts would be that I ferment until primary is done then go into a secondary vessel, or possibly a keg with an airlock on it... I would probably not drill a hole rather i would use the existing relief valve hole... Then transfer through an inline filter after the lagering stage into a fresh keg and gas it...

I guess I'm just over thinking this one, but I want it to turn out as close to what I got in Koln.

Don't worry about autolysis if you're taking this much care to think it out. This is what I did with my latest kolsh and it turned out great.

Ferment in primary at recommended temperature for your yeast, crash cool primary and rack to secondary. Cold age for *however* long and then rack to keg.

I've had reviews from the various swaps on this site how that kolsh was the clearest homebrew that taster had ever seen.

nealf · Nov 3, 2009

I primary fermented for 10 days then lagered (in the keg, on the gas) for 5 weeks. The beer was excellent.

Bowtiebrewery · Nov 3, 2009

Alright then sounds like a good plan... Now to find an empty keg for next weekend... Oh boy either lots of drinking has to happen or lots of bottling... either or will not be a good thing for me...