newb here.. lager as an ale?

[Lametrout]

My fiance got me a better brew October fest kit as a gift cuz im gonna buy a home brewing setup from my local home brew store. i was reading through the instructions and it says it can be done , just might take longer, wondering if its wise to do?. it recommends a secondary fermenter and it a kit i get one. should i pick up a glass carboy as a secondary or just use one... and i

 

[daksin]

So, if I read that correctly, you've got a lager yeast (Oktoberfest) but can't ferment at 50F? I would switch to an ale yeast, like a nice clean kolsch yeast or just go with a basic ale yeast you can ferment fairly cool. A lager yeast is going to throw some really funky flavors at ale temps unless it's been designed to, like the San Francisco lager yeast (used for making steam beers). The fermentation won't be slower if you use a lager yeast at ale temps, it will be faster (warmer always = faster) but it could be nasty.

 

[Daybis]

Like daskin, I wouldn't recommend fermenting with lager yeast at ale temps. You are going to get some serious ester production if you do and the yeast might not clean up after it's self. I would also recommend using a kolsh yeast or just a general ale strain. I've been very happy with the european ale yeast.

 

[Lametrout]

so just get an ale yeast and thats it.... thought it would be more complicated....so i guess ill be making an octoberfest ale

 

[steelerfanatic7]

Northernbrewer.com has a great video called lager workarounds or something like that

 

[flabyboy]

Is it the Brewers Best kit?

If so it comes with a yeast that can ferment at ale temps, although it taste better if fermented at 50 degrees. What is the yeast strain? Nottingham or Kolsch yeast can be a good replacement if you can find an area around 60 degrees to ferment

 

[Lametrout]

its brewferm lager yeast thats all i can really see on the package.... in the instructions it says you can brew it as an ale.... at the brew store i could just pick up a kolsh yeast?

 

[flabyboy]

What's the most consistently cold area in your home? Temps there are?

 

[ArcaneXor]

I wouldn't use Koelsch for your first batch - the yeast is excellent, but one of the most temperamental ones out there. I recommend WLP 011 European Ale yeast. It's about the most lager-like of the ale yeasts, even more so than Koelsch yeast, and is very easy to work with. Ferment it in the low to mid-60s, and you'll get an excellent (m)Oktoberfest.

 

[Lametrout]

my basements a bit chilly around mid to upper 50s just checked it....

 

[flabyboy]

You could brew a very clean ale with Nottingham or Kolsch yeast with those ambient temps. The thing about Kolsch is it doesn't like the clear or floculate out, without cold condition or lagering after fermentation finishes. Lagering is something you may want to do considering the beer you are making. Do you have a heated garage or spare fridge

 

[Lametrout]

went to the brew store today he wyeast greman ale yeast so thats what im going for