lager beer with ale yeast

[Kendo2gz]

so i live in an area where warm temps and would like to make an Oktoberfest style beer i was told that i could use an ale yeast and it would taste pretty good, obviously not as well. i plan on using an extract and specialty grain kit with a liquid german ale yeast is this gonna be ok

 

[Kendo2gz]

also i need to know if i need more yeast as i will be using Wyeast 1007 German Ale 100 billion yeast sells per activator

 

[Morkin]

Probably won't be as clear or as crisp as if you had used Ale Yeast. What temp are we talking about?

 

[android]

what original gravity are you shooting for? i would guess that yes, you will need to make a starter. especially if you want a clean ferment and lager-like characteristics. if you ferment warm and underpitch, it will be much more ale-like.

 

[BeerJorge]

Lager yeast ferments the sugar raffinose, which ale yeast doesn't... you'll get beer, it just won't be lager...

 

[Kendo2gz]

well i guess ill have to get a refridge that i can put my fermemnter in then cuse i do like ale but im more of a loger fan but temps get to like 58-70 around here so im pretty much stuck with ale...........and i was hopin for an OG of 1050. does anyone know of a good lager yeast that fermemnts between said temps if so whee can i find it

 

[Morkin]

well i guess ill have to get a refridge that i can put my fermemnter in then cuse i do like ale but im more of a loger fan but temps get to like 58-70 around here so im pretty much stuck with ale...........and i was hopin for an OG of 1050. does anyone know of a good lager yeast that fermemnts between said temps if so whee can i find it

Yep. Try California Common or Steam Beer Lager Yeast.

http://www.wyeastlab.com/rw_styledetails.cfm?ID=143

going to be more estery, but it's still technically a lager yeast. Try it out.

 

[KevinW]

I have made several batches with WLP029/Kolsch yeast. It does well in the upper 60's, prefers the lower 60's but still good. Kind of like a lager taste w/ale yeast!!
I do recommend a starter though.
good luck

 

[wcarter1227]

you can also use a clean fermenting ale yeast like nottingham, us-05, 1056, or even wlp001. ive used nottingham to ferment my cream ale and i kept it around 59 the whole time and its probably one of the cleanest ales i have ever drank in my life, my friends that brew were "amazed" that i brewed a lagerlike beer without lagering it.

 

[Kendo2gz]

hey thx guys some time i wish i lived in the optimal conditions to lager properly but im doin what i can i guess a refrige for lagering is a must ...........spendy but nessassary

 

[KevinW]

you can also use a clean fermenting ale yeast like nottingham, us-05, 1056, or even wlp001. ive used nottingham to ferment my cream ale and i kept it around 59 the whole time and its probably one of the cleanest ales i have ever drank in my life, my friends that brew were "amazed" that i brewed a lagerlike beer without lagering it.

Never thought about using Notty for lower temp ales. If using lower temps for fermenting would it be a good idea to pitch two packets of dry yeast?

 

[android]

i don't think you need two packets, but FWIW, i get a really odd flavor from notty at low temps (i know a lot of people get great results with it), i prefer what US-05 or better yet, 1056 give you.

 

[wcarter1227]

Never thought about using Notty for lower temp ales. If using lower temps for fermenting would it be a good idea to pitch two packets of dry yeast?

you wont need 2 packets, theres a ton of yeast in one of those packets, just dont freak out when fermentation takes a while to start off. when i did my cream ale it took the notty 2 days to show any signs of fermentation but again the extra time it took to ferment was well worth how clean tasting and crisp it came out.

I would recommend do an extended primary of at least 3-4 weeks as the yeast will benefit from the extra time on the cake to clean up after themselves.

 

[JJL]

hey thx guys some time i wish i lived in the optimal conditions to lager properly but im doin what i can i guess a refrige for lagering is a must ...........spendy but nessassary

Check craigslist in your area. In my area, I see at least 1 old fridge a week that people are giving away for free if you are willing to haul. Typically it's a perfectly good fridge, just not pretty to look at.

 

[jamesnsw]

Also look into Rogue's pacman yeast. You can get it from the bottles if you want. I did this for a Maibock, and it was great!

 

[TRainH2o]

I am too impatient to wait for a true lager. If you are looking to brew an Oktoberfest beer with ale yeast, check out this thread. I think that I am going to give it a shot soon.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f63/biermunchers-oktoberfast-ale-ag-39021/