Lager Decoction Help

[CidahMastah]

Ok so the krausen has fallen but there is still fermentation going down (can see the bubbles rising though less vigour than before).

I took a gravity reading and I am at about 1.026 (SG was 1.046 and expect F.G. to be about 1.011-1.014). There was about a 1.5-2 day lag on the start of the ferment even though I pitched a large starter for each.

Taste test was good, no diacetyl that I could taste, though it was sweet for sure.

Looks like I should give it a couple more days and check back on the gravity. Or do you recommend starting the D-rest now since the krausen has fallen?

 

[CidahMastah]

Ok so I did some digging last night and thought I would post this morning for anyone who is reading the thread.

Sounds like a good target for the D-Rest is after krausen drops and you are about 1/3 left to your F.G. So in my case I started with 1.046 and will wait until I get to about 1.021ish.

From there it sounds like a 10 degree increase is pretty standard for a D-rest (so for me 55F increase to 65F over 12 hours or so).

After reaching F.G. at the D-rest temp I will rack into a secondary and bring back down to lagering temps by adjusting 5F per day to get down to as close to the 32-40F range to start the lagering process for at least a month.

Looks like I will be checking my gravity again tonight to see if I hit 75% of my intended attenuation!

 

[CidahMastah]

So one late 1/10/12 I checked the gravity and one of my kegs was at about 1.020 and the other at 1.026. I figured what the heck it is pretty close to the 1.021 gravity I was looking for to start the D-rest. Anyway I pushed the temp up to 65F and checked it late last night and it was still bubbling away.

Did I jump the gun on the D-rest (have read some people saying 3-7days for this; but looking for your anecdotal experience)? I had thought the fermentation would resolve within a day or so bit I am running on 3 days once it gets to late tonight.

I plan on letting it right out to terminal gravity and (hopefully) racking it to a secondary this weekend for lagering.

 

[Calichusetts]

This whole thread is epic...I am planning a recipe fpr my first bohemian pilsner and this has cleared up so many things...thanks guys

 

[Mk010101]

I imagine you did your d-rest right at the perfect time. I myself waited too long on my Vienna Lager as I checked it every day and waited for the krausen to fall. It did and I checked it and it was fully fermented out! Oops. I used Wyeast 2308 (Munich.) I raised it to D-rest temps anyway and plan on racking it to secondary for lagering tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime, I had a boatload of hungry yeast just waiting for the dopplebock I am brewing tomorrow.

 

[CidahMastah]

This whole thread is epic...I am planning a recipe fpr my first bohemian pilsner and this has cleared up so many things...thanks guys

I am glad that you confirmed that my last three "in a row posts" were not just the rantings of a mad man

Really glad you and possibly others are getting some good use out of the information in this thread.

 

[CidahMastah]

I imagine you did your d-rest right at the perfect time. I myself waited too long on my Vienna Lager as I checked it every day and waited for the krausen to fall. It did and I checked it and it was fully fermented out! Oops. I used Wyeast 2308 (Munich.) I raised it to D-rest temps anyway and plan on racking it to secondary for lagering tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime, I had a boatload of hungry yeast just waiting for the dopplebock I am brewing tomorrow.

I have heard a lot of good things for that lager yeast - plan on grabbing some. I am actually trying to decide what to brew next with the wyeast 2001 urquell yeast. I should have a good amount and would really like to get some more lager action going

Thanks for the info!

 

[Yooper]

So one late 1/10/12 I checked the gravity and one of my kegs was at about 1.020 and the other at 1.026. I figured what the heck it is pretty close to the 1.021 gravity I was looking for to start the D-rest. Anyway I pushed the temp up to 65F and checked it late last night and it was still bubbling away.

Did I jump the gun on the D-rest (have read some people saying 3-7days for this; but looking for your anecdotal experience)? I had thought the fermentation would resolve within a day or so bit I am running on 3 days once it gets to late tonight.

I plan on letting it right out to terminal gravity and (hopefully) racking it to a secondary this weekend for lagering.

That sounds about perfect. I still would recommend trying to lager a bit colder if you can (but I think you can't?) as I find that a smoother lager results from lagering near freezing. If you can't, you will still get a nice lager of course.

 

[CidahMastah]

That sounds about perfect. I still would recommend trying to lager a bit colder if you can (but I think you can't?) as I find that a smoother lager results from lagering near freezing. If you can't, you will still get a nice lager of course.

Well. I could, it just means giving up fridge space.

My yeast/lager fridge that kept at about 33-34f temps died on me over the holidays. So I am out the prime spot I had been planning for this lager.... I have another fridge I can use, but would have to pull my stout keg out for a few months - eek!

I was thinking I might throw one in the attic and one in the stout fridge if I can cram in... hoping that the attic one will not completely freeze!

I will try to get at least 1 of the kegs lagering at the low temps consistently. At least then I can compare a controlled lager to a sporadic one! :cross:

 

[CidahMastah]

Well I stopped being lazy and cleared and consolidated my fridge - enough room for both kegs of the brew!! So they get 34F of lagering temps

 

[CidahMastah]

Just a quick update. Been lagering about a month at 32F and just tried a sample. I REALLY like it. I want to let it sit for another 2-4 weeks before I put it on tap, but I am really happy with the outcome. Has a really nice nose and a good body similar to Pilsner Urquell. Now I wish I had some more space to do more lagers!!

 

[Yooper]

Just a quick update. Been lagering about a month at 32F and just tried a sample. I REALLY like it. I want to let it sit for another 2-4 weeks before I put it on tap, but I am really happy with the outcome. Has a really nice nose and a good body similar to Pilsner Urquell. Now I wish I had some more space to do more lagers!!

That's awesome! I don't do many lagers, as I do far more IPAs and APAs than anything, but I enjoy making them and drinking them. They are such a departure from my normal ales that it's a treat to enjoy them.

 

[CidahMastah]

That's awesome! I don't do many lagers, as I do far more IPAs and APAs than anything, but I enjoy making them and drinking them. They are such a departure from my normal ales that it's a treat to enjoy them.

Its funny you say that but I felt the same. Normally a lager is pretty boring compared to my brews. But I really felt like it was a treat- ha! perspective is everything I suppose.

 

[vonZwicky]

Great thread! I'll be referring back to this and the other info linked to herein as I try to add decoction capability to my system.