Oktoberfest/Marzen fermentation question

[rnmurphy4250]

Hey-o...

I brewed my first (in true style) Oktoberfest yesterday. This is the first time that I am fermenting it at a lower temp and it appears to not have started yet. The OG was 1.060 and the fermentation temp is 51-52 degrees. I used s-23 saflager yeast (22g)

I have brewed religiously for about five years and know my way around the garage-brewery so I am a bit perplexed and I do not want to raise the temp out of frustration or haste. Any info?

 

[Bobb25]

Hey-o...
I have brewed religiously for about five years and know my way around the garage-brewery

Does that mean that you pray while you brew ??
I get it ..."I know my beers, and they know me" (No sacrilege intended )
Bob

 

[ifnotuthenwho]

The lager yeast will take a little longer to get started and will take longer to ferment. You're probably fine, just give it some more time.

 

[rydev24]

Brewed my first lager a few weeks ago (Ofest also). OG 1.063 and used two packs of 34/70 dry yeast. Took about 5 days to start and wasnt an active fermentation compared to an ale. Took a gravity reading a week in because I was worried. Sure enough it was doing its thing. Hear it is quite normal to have a slow/ delayed ferm when talking lagers. I kept at 50 degrees F.

 

[rnmurphy4250]

Thanks fellas! God bless! Lol

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

Yep, I find it typical to see a lag time of 36-48 hours with lagers. I generally try to start them below temp and let them come up. I usually use W-34/70 rather than S-23. I recommend giving it a try, as I find the flavor profile to be nicer.

The worst was Mangrove Jack's lager yeast. It was about a 92-96 hour lag time. Very disappointed with that yeast.

 

[eadavis80]

Hope it works out well for you. How long do you plan on lagering the beer? I just bottled my Aletoberfest last week as I don't have good lagering capabilities, but used 1007 at about 60. The sample tasted good enough for me

 

[rnmurphy4250]

Hope it works out well for you. How long do you plan on lagering the beer? I just bottled my Aletoberfest last week as I don't have good lagering capabilities, but used 1007 at about 60. The sample tasted good enough for me

I will ferment x14ish days with a two day diacetyl rest and then lager x 30 days.

 

[rnmurphy4250]

I will ferment x14ish days with a two day diacetyl rest and then lager x 30 days.