Novalager fermentation profile

[Gajol]

Hi everyone,

I've been experimenting with novalager and am in search of the profile for my lager brews. Here's what I've come up with so far:

• A pilsner with an OG of 1045 and an expected FG of 1014.
• Pitching temperature set at 20°C and keeping it there until SG reaches 1020, without applying any pressure.
• Spunding valve set to 15 psi.
• Fermenting until FG reaches 1014, or close to it.
• Setting the temperature to 23°C and maintaining it for 2 days for cleanup.
• Cold crashing for 3 days.

I'd love to hear what you all are doing, and if anyone has any suggestions or tweaks to my profile, I'm all ears! Let's brew some great beer together.

Cheers!

 

[DuncB]

1.046 to 1.012 pitched at 15 open and kept around this temp no pressure as open fermented. Then near end closed and spunded to 20psi. Main ferment bulk was done in 3 days. Left a week at about 15 then cold crashed, dropped yeast and lagered for 25 days. Fined during that time and further drop of yeast / finings.
It came out pretty good.

 

[Gajol]

It appears you're achieving a clear and nice result with your process. I've also noticed that our profiles are quite similar, except for the temperature

So fare i really like this yeast

 

[DuncB]

Yes I was very impressed, much better taste than my pressure fermented opshaug kveik. But it did need help to clear.

 

[AmarikinBrew]

Isn't this the Swiss Hürlimann strain 189 popularized by the Danish?

 

[DuncB]

I've no idea, what evidence do you have about this?

 

[AmarikinBrew]

Just a hunch.

 

[wepeeler]

First beer I made with it, I wasn't a fan. Next one was very good. I have another pack to use, but I've been having such good luck with 34/70 that I haven't tried Nova again...

 

[AmarikinBrew]

Hey guys has anyone seen this? Details on novalager is in there...

And yes I know it says "novel" but it goes into the science of NOVAlager.

https://www.brewersjournal.info/science-novel-lager-yeast-hybrids/

 

[AmarikinBrew]

First beer I made with it, I wasn't a fan. Next one was very good. I have another pack to use, but I've been having such good luck with 34/70 that I haven't tried Nova again...

A question, Sir? You said "next one was very good" -was that a repitch on the leftover yeast cake OR another new package?

 

[Craiginthecorn]

Isn't this the Swiss Hürlimann strain 189 popularized by the Danish?

No. It is a hybrid of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces eubayanus developed by Fermentis. Saccharomyces pastorianus (standard lager yeast) is also a hybrid of these two, but Novalager contains a greater percentage of cerevisiae.

 

[wepeeler]

A question, Sir? You said "next one was very good" -was that a repitch on the leftover yeast cake OR another new package?

New package. I've never actually repitched any yeast. I harvest off fresh starters if I plan to save/reuse yeast.