Lagering vessel

[Likefully]

I have somewhat rushed into buying the ingredients for my first lager and the more I read about brewing a lager the more nervous I get (I am a noob).

I am struggling to work out exactly what the vessel/container used for lagering should be.

Initially I presumed you could use the same set up for the primary fermentation (fermenting bucket and airlock) and then keep the temp as close to zero (celsius) as possible for the lagering period (essentially second fermentation at a lower temperature).

However the more I read the less sure I get about this - so: do you lager in a fermenting bucket with airlock or does the lagering 'vessel' need to be sealed.

Thank you.

 

[glugglug]

You can use same setup. Just need a way to get to lagering temps. 0 Celsius is a bit low. You don't want it to freeze. I won't quote what temp you need because I've only done a couple, and that was a while ago.

 

[glugglug]

Oh, and you don't want it sealed. You need an airlock or blowoff tube.

 

[Yooper]

I don't like the idea of lagering in a bucket. Not because there is anything inherently wrong with a bucket (I use them myself) but after fermentation ends there could be a risk of oxidation and/or infection with that much headspace.

Since lagering happens for a lengthy period of time after fermentation ends, leaving the beer in the bucket could be risky due to that wide headspace. Also, I don't lager on the yeast cake as I want a very "clean" lager. I always use either a keg or a carboy for lagering.

 

[Likefully]

I don't like the idea of lagering in a bucket. Not because there is anything inherently wrong with a bucket (I use them myself) but after fermentation ends there could be a risk of oxidation and/or infection with that much headspace.

Since lagering happens for a lengthy period of time after fermentation ends, leaving the beer in the bucket could be risky due to that wide headspace. Also, I don't lager on the yeast cake as I want a very "clean" lager. I always use either a keg or a carboy for lagering.

Thanks - I ferment in 25 litre bottles, so for primary fermentation I will probably have 24 litres in the bottle and then for lagering i guess about 21litres (after transferring). So there will be headspace, but i don't have an alternative - should I rather bottle after primary and lager in the bottle?

 

[Yooper]

Thanks - I ferment in 25 litre bottles, so for primary fermentation I will probably have 24 litres in the bottle and then for lagering i guess about 21litres (after transferring). So there will be headspace, but i don't have an alternative - should I rather bottle after primary and lager in the bottle?

That's a good option. After primary, bring it up for a diacetyl rest and then bottle. Let it sit in the bottles at room temperature to carb up, and the lager the bottles for 6 weeks.

If you're using a carboy (I thought you said bucket) for fermenting, then lagering in the carboy is fine.

 

[Likefully]

If you're using a carboy (I thought you said bucket) for fermenting, then lagering in the carboy is fine.

I did say bucket, my mistake. Its a 25 liter plastic bottle - does that remove the risk of infection?

(I thought carboys are by definition glass...but i am verrrrrry new to this!)

 

[el_caro]

In reality there should be a good layer of CO2 sitting on top of the beer in the lagering vessel. CO2 being heavier than air forms a protective layer keeping oxygen away from the beer.
However it is not easy to get that headspace out of your mind so I say keep it to a minimum.
Plastic buckets are not claimed to be impervious to the passing of small amounts of oxygen through the walls and some would see that as an issue for prolonged storage of beer.
Whilst I only use plastic for primary fermentation, I must confess that I always feel a little more comfortable lagering in Better Bottles which are made from PET and are almost impervious to the passing of O2.