Lagering Question.

[marconlin]

So I am gearing up the nerve to do my first Lager beer. I believe I'll be able to hit the fermentation temp just fine. I am concerned with the lagering though. the temps in my garage have been in the low 50's, and it seems this will not change. I mean it's only going to get colder. But as far as lagering is concerned I am no where near the low 30's recommended for lagering beer.

My plan is to simply ferment, D rest, then rack and "lager" in the same ambient temp I fermented in. I have a feeling this should work, but I am curious if anyone else has done this before.

I am shooting for a gravity 1.055 and will be using Bohemian Lager yeast. Extracts with specialty grains. Nothing crazy hop wise.

I really would like to know what to expect.

 

[prandlesc]

I think that this is not a good idea. good lagering requires temps in the 30's. Can you stick it in a fridge or keezer just to get in into the 30's? Even below normal fridge temp is better.

 

[skipper1953]

You could always wait until it gets colder.

 

[gwapogorilla]

So I am gearing up the nerve to do my first Lager beer. I believe I'll be able to hit the fermentation temp just fine. I am concerned with the lagering though. the temps in my garage have been in the low 50's, and it seems this will not change. I mean it's only going to get colder. But as far as lagering is concerned I am no where near the low 30's recommended for lagering beer.

My plan is to simply ferment, D rest, then rack and "lager" in the same ambient temp I fermented in. I have a feeling this should work, but I am curious if anyone else has done this before.

I am shooting for a gravity 1.055 and will be using Bohemian Lager yeast. Extracts with specialty grains. Nothing crazy hop wise.

I really would like to know what to expect.

Yep, I was just considering the same thing. I can get ferm temps at 53*...but it's the 40* lagering temp I will have problems with as I don't have a fridge dedicated to brewing.
I am thinking about waiting another month. Then after I rack into the secondary, keeping it in a cooler filled with ice water. I think the ice would last for a good week in those temps. So changing the ice out should be minimized for the 4 week lagering period.

 

[marconlin]

I'm looking at brewing on Thanksgiving weekend, then fermenting for a few weeks. I am more concerned for the fermentation temp than I am for the lagering temp. By mid to late December ambient temps should be in the forties, if not lower. Plus temps through January and February will get lower.

 

[BPS531]

I'm not an expert on lagers, but I have been reasonably successful fermenting them in the garage during winter. If you pitch at 45-50 and then wrap your fermenter in a blanket, the yeast metabolism adds enough heat to keep the beer from getting too cold. But you definitely want to do a discreetly rest if you use this technique.