Lagering

[rasherb]

Making my first lager. A CAP. How To Brew has me lagering for 7 weeks. Do I really have to for 7 weeks? Can some of that time be racked to keg and carbed or does it have to stay uncarbed on the yeast in the carboy for all seven?

 

[Hammy71]

After fermentation is done, you want to get the beer off the yeast. Then you can lager in your keg while carbing, carbed, or flat. You'll probably be disappointed in the beer if you try to cut the lagering time down.

 

[rasherb]

So I can rack to kegerator and keep it at lagering temps it just wont taste as good as at the end of seven weeks?

 

[Hammy71]

Simple answer is yes. I like to lager at colder temps than my keggerator. But if that's what you have, than go for it. It will still work. A lager taste 'funny' and off balanced, usually before it is lagered but the flavors will mesh as it ages/conditions.