lager fermentation temp!

[golden_guy]

I have some questions

I read the instruction of mr beer american lager fermentation temp and it's says from (68-76). So do I realy need to buy a freezer or fridge?

If no, why a lot of people here talking about freezing? What kind of beer and kit are they using?

 

[Gnomebrewer]

What is the yeast? Is it an actual lager yeast?

 

[Gnomebrewer]

Is this the kit?

http://www.mrbeer.com/american-lager-standard-refill

If it is, then it's not a lager. It's an ale that's supposed to give a lager-like finish. Most kit 'lagers' are the same - ale yeast. They do this assuming most brewers don't have fermentation fridges.

I'd suggest you ferment at 65-68.

 

[golden_guy]

What is the yeast? Is it an actual lager yeast?

don't know but It's come with the recipe

 

[golden_guy]

What is the yeast? Is it an actual lager yeast?

Is this the kit?

http://www.mrbeer.com/american-lager-standard-refill

If it is, then it's not a lager. It's an ale that's supposed to give a lager-like finish. Most kit 'lagers' are the same - ale yeast. They do this assuming most brewers don't have fermentation fridges.

I'd suggest you ferment at 65-68.

Yes it is. So what do you suggest I do to make a real lager ( Kits name and refill) when I buy A fridge?

 

[Gnomebrewer]

To turn that particular beer into an actual lager, all you need to do is buy a lager yeast (my favourite, and a popular choice, is WLP833). These require quite a bit of work though - a big yeast starter (or lots of vials = $$$), chill to low temps, ferment cold, lager even colder. You could use a dry yeast (Saflager 34/70 is acceptable), but you'll still need at least two packs if you don't make a starter..

My lager ferment schedule is: cool wort to 43F - pitch yeast. Allow a rise to 47F over two days. Keep at 47 until 50% fermentation is complete. Drop temp by 1F per day, until at 38F. Keep at 38F until fermentation is complete. Drop 1F per day to 32F. Lager at 32F until beer is clear and ready to drink.
You can easily just pitch yeast and ferment at 50F for a few weeks, then drop temp to 32F for lagering.
Be aware that both of these methods need a big pitch of healthy yeast - I aim for about 20billion cells per litre for a standard gravity lager.
As you can see, this is nowhere near as straight forward as the standard Mr Beer kit.

As an alternative to the kit, you could also try buying extract and hops. Most brewers would start doing this (or even brewing all-grain) before attempting a lager.

 

[golden_guy]

To turn that particular beer into an actual lager, all you need to do is buy a lager yeast (my favourite, and a popular choice, is WLP833). These require quite a bit of work though - a big yeast starter (or lots of vials = $$$), chill to low temps, ferment cold, lager even colder. You could use a dry yeast (Saflager 34/70 is acceptable), but you'll still need at least two packs if you don't make a starter..

My lager ferment schedule is: cool wort to 43F - pitch yeast. Allow a rise to 47F over two days. Keep at 47 until 50% fermentation is complete. Drop temp by 1F per day, until at 38F. Keep at 38F until fermentation is complete. Drop 1F per day to 32F. Lager at 32F until beer is clear and ready to drink.
You can easily just pitch yeast and ferment at 50F for a few weeks, then drop temp to 32F for lagering.
Be aware that both of these methods need a big pitch of healthy yeast - I aim for about 20billion cells per litre for a standard gravity lager.
As you can see, this is nowhere near as straight forward as the standard Mr Beer kit.

As an alternative to the kit, you could also try buying extract and hops. Most brewers would start doing this (or even brewing all-grain) before attempting a lager.

Thanks alot for helpful reply. do you prefer any kits and recipes name for me ( coopers and so on) to start and make a real lager?

 

[Gnomebrewer]

What style of lager are you wanting to brew?
I don't have any experience with American lagers - I've never tried drinking one, let alone brewing one! (I'm Australian). I can help put together a simple recipe though, if that's what you're after.

 

[golden_guy]

Yes please

 

[Gnomebrewer]

Your first option is to use the Mr Beer kit, but pitch lager yeast instead of the ale yeast that the kit is sold with. Like I said earlier, you'll need to get the wort temperature down to about 50 (up to 54 is OK) before you pitch the yeast, and maintain that for fermentation. For your first lager, I'd suggest two packets of dry yeast - Saflager W34/70. This will give you a cleaner tasting beer than you'd get by fermenting with the kit yeast.

You'll notice an improvement if you go to an extract recipe, which involves boiling extract (either dry powder, or syrupy liquid) in water, with hops. You'd then chill and pitch the yeast as per the Mr Beer kit. This kit https://www.northernbrewer.com/documentation/beerkits/AmericanLager.pdf
from Northern brewer looks quite close to the mark and has decent instructions. Note that the dry yeast option is Saflager S-23. I have found it to be good, but many others have had bad experiences with it.

To get something closer to a typical American lager, you need partial mash or all-grain brewing (which is a lot more complicated) to get flavour from corn and/or rice. This is a lot more complicated and needs some more specialised equipment, but is also way more fun and allows for a lot more creativity.

Whichever option you take, be aware that PALE AMERICAN LAGERS are one of THE MOST DIFFICULT beers to brew. Any mistakes you make will be evident in the finished beer because there are no strong flavours to hide them.

Hope this helps.

 

[golden_guy]

Thank you very much for your reply and notes. I pertiate that����

 

[DaNewf]

I've got a question for those of you recommending 2 packs of Saflager 34/70.

I have yet to do a lager but have been researching it lately. My reading seems to indicate that 2 packs of Saflager is the correct amount to pitch for a 5 gallon batch. Wouldn't one pack be enough for a Mr. Beer sized batch?

 

[Gnomebrewer]

I've got a question for those of you recommending 2 packs of Saflager 34/70.

I have yet to do a lager but have been researching it lately. My reading seems to indicate that 2 packs of Saflager is the correct amount to pitch for a 5 gallon batch. Wouldn't one pack be enough for a Mr. Beer sized batch?

I haven't seen Mr Beer before (they aren't sold in Australia that I know of) but assumed they were 5 gal. How big are they?

 

[DaNewf]

The Mr. Beer keg is used to make 2 gallon batches.

 

[Gnomebrewer]

One packet of dry lager yeast is enough for 2 gallons of beer.