Lager Question

[gresc]

Hi, I have a lager in my primary for 19 days now; this seems like plenty of time for the beer to reach it's target gravity, though this is my first lager so I'm not sure.
OG was 1.050. I used Wyeast Bavarian Lager. I had to ferment at a slightly lower temp than what was reccomended ; 44f and they suggest 47f to 52f.
I took a FG reading and I'm at 1.024 I should be around 1.012. It's still bubbling, though it's slow.

So, do I let it go or should I warm it for a diacetyl rest, take another reading, pray I hit my Fg and then lager.

 

[david_42]

You are only at 52% attenuation. The temperature is too low for the yeast and that means a much longer ferment than normal. Warm it up to the recommended range, if at all possible & wait until you get close to the target gravity.

 

[Nimrod3388]

When lagering, have you had the best results (flavor) achieving your FG in the primary then rack to secondary to lager?

 

[Yooper]

Yes, you really should be really at fg before you rack. This also helps clean up all the diacetyl flavors, and any other off-flavors made by the yeast. If I need to do a diacetyl rest (sometimes lagers don't even need them), then I do the d-rest when the beer is at or very near fg. Then rack and begin the lagering. Racking too soon will stall the fermentation even more.

I know that some (I think TexLaw was one) said they can do the d-rest after, but I like to do it while I still have it on the big yeast cake.

 

[gresc]

ok that's what I thought; let it go a bit more.
But have I done any damage, 20 days in a primary at colder than normal temps ; I'm wondering if the yeast can pull this off ; though I'm bubbling every 10 seconds so we're still active.

 

[Yooper]

Well, if it's fermenting then you're fine. As long as fermentation is taking place, there isn't danger of autolysis. Just wait it out!

 

[gresc]

thanks Yooper; It's like watching a grandfather clock tick - lol