Pilsner Secondary Issues....

[aw2156]

I recently purchased a Brewers Best Continental Pilsner kit. I am about to start the Secondary fermentation/lagering process and I don't think my wine fridge is going to be cold enough. It was perfect for the 53-59 degree primary fermentation but I don't think the temp will drop to the 35-42 degrees the recipe suggests. I do not remember the exact name of the yeast other than the instructions called for rehydrating the yeast and that it can be fermented as an ale.

My questions are: Will fermenting in primary as if I was going to lager in the secondary have an effect if I am unable to complete the lagering process as instructed? Should I rack into the secondary and drop my fridge down as cold as it will go and proceed with the lagering process at 48-50 degrees instead of the recommended 35-42 degrees? Do I ferment the beer in the secondary as an ale in the 65 degree range? I am at a loss so if anyone has any other suggestions please let me know. Thank you.

 

[Yooper]

I recently purchased a Brewers Best Continental Pilsner kit. I am about to start the Secondary fermentation/lagering process and I don't think my wine fridge is going to be cold enough. It was perfect for the 53-59 degree primary fermentation but I don't think the temp will drop to the 35-42 degrees the recipe suggests. I do not remember the exact name of the yeast other than the instructions called for rehydrating the yeast and that it can be fermented as an ale.

My questions are: Will fermenting in primary as if I was going to lager in the secondary have an effect if I am unable to complete the lagering process as instructed? Should I rack into the secondary and drop my fridge down as cold as it will go and proceed with the lagering process at 48-50 degrees instead of the recommended 35-42 degrees? Do I ferment the beer in the secondary as an ale in the 65 degree range? I am at a loss so if anyone has any other suggestions please let me know. Thank you.

You can bottle the beer when it's clear, and then let it carb up in the bottle at 70 degrees for 2-3 weeks, and then stick the bottles in a fridge to lager. I have some on the door of my fridge, and that works perfectly!

If you cannot lager in a carboy, due to lack of room in a cold fridge, lagering in the bottle works just as well.