Need lagering advice

[Dabba]

So I have two lagers in my chest freezer fermenting on about day 10. I just kicked up the temp to 62F for some D-rest for a day or two and then will check the FG again before lagering. One is in a glass carboy, the other is in a bucket.

My original plan was to transfer the dunkle to a glass carboy secondary (To free up my primary for another brew) and then lager both fermenters (glass secondary and plastic primary) for 4-6 weeks at about 35F.

However when looking around, some people worry about lagering in the primary. I've read about lagering in kegs, but I don't feel comfortable with that because I don't like the idea of all the headspace for O2 to sit. I also thought about pressurizing with a small amount of CO2 but I don't think I will feel comfortable being able to purge enough co2 so let it sit with that headspace for 4-6 weeks.


Long story short, it seems to me another 4-6 weeks on a yeast cake for a dark lager is less of a risk of off flavors than potential oxidation from the headspace in a keg. Hell, thats why secondaries tend to be smaller right? To minimize headspace? So lager in the primary?

 

[Braufessor]

I have found that leaving lagers on yeast longer has really resulted in nice beers. It is now my standard procedure. I ferment lagers in kegs..... 10 days at 50-52, 3-5 days at low 60's. Back in chest freezer and gradually ramp temps down to 33-35. I then just let them sit for 2-4 more weeks (still in primary). I then jump them from fermentation kegs to purged serving kegs using CO2 pressure. So, they end up in primary for 4-6 weeks from brew day to jumping to serving keg. Never had an issue at all leaving it on yeast. In fact, it really seems to result in a much cleaner beer.

 

[dmtaylor]

I have a lager right now that was in primary for about 5 weeks. Just racked it yesterday. Tastes great. I am very hands-off when it comes to fermentation. Based on lots of experience, I know I can safely leave beer sitting in primary for about 6-7 weeks before there is any risk of yeast autolysis. Rack and/or package before 6 weeks and you'll be just fine. Beyond that point, there is some low risk. 8 or 10 weeks, higher risk.

 

[VTX1300]

My normal lager routine is 3 to 4 weeks in primary. Then rack to a purged keg to lager at 35° for another 3 to 4 weeks.(If I can wait that long) If you can't do a closed transfer just make sure to do multiple CO2 purges. I also lager on gas so it's carbed and ready to go when the aging is done. I just started drinking a Pilsner that is crystal clear and very clean and crisp. Great beer for these very hot days

 

[waldoar15]

I've never done 6 weeks, but 4 is normal for me.

 

[Dabba]

Sounds great guys I'll stick to the original plan. Thanks!