Having done six lagers, I think/thought that through trial and error, I had the process pretty well figured out but still have a few questions. For the lager in question, I had reduced activity (but could still see actually bubbles coming up from the bottom) in the airlock and assumed it was about time to do a diacetyl rest. I took a hydrometer and was three points off from my target FG. The sample tasted GREAT. I realize that I should have done a d-rest earlier. However I went ahead and brought the beer up to 65 and watched it for 48 hours expecting to see an increase or even a decrease in activity. I continued to have visible bubbles rising from the bottom so I left for another 48 hours and still could see bubbles rising. Normally I would have transferred to secondary and begun the three degree a day drop to lagering temps. Yet with two failed lagers in the past, I wanted to ensure I had a complete fermentation prior to lagering. So I went ahead and started dropping it back down three degrees a day until I hit fermentation temperatures expecting to see all visible activity cease. Well a week later, I can still see bubbles coming up from the bottom.
Any recommendations? Should I rack and lager? Leave it longer?
Thank you.
Any recommendations? Should I rack and lager? Leave it longer?
Thank you.