Reusing yeast cake on lagers.

[msa8967]

I know that it is difficult t wash and collect yeast from a lager beer so I am curious to know if anyone has successfully pitched the wort for a new lager onto the old yeast cake from a lager that has just been kegged or bottled. I know that there can be issues doing this with ale yeast but not sure about lager yeast.

 

[moreb33rplz]

I have done it several times. I would usually scoop or dump out about 1/3 to 1/2 of the cake, then pitch fresh wort right on top. I didn't notice a difference between that and pitching 2x packets of 34/70.

 

[mblanks2]

I have had good luck doing this. I rack off the yeast cake leaving a little beer on top. Swirl and pour into a sanitized mason jar. Use what is necessary according to Mr malty for a slurry pitch. Works well.

 

[shelly_belly]

I put KingBrianI's World's Best Oktoberfest on top of WLP802 Czech Budejovice Lager yeast cake from a Victory Prima Pils clone. The Oktoberfest was the best beer of many I made in 2011. Fermentation was almost as violent as a recent hefe.

 

[Bill_in_VA]

Lagers need such a high pitch rate having a cake is a great situation. Like moreb33rplz says I'd probably scoop like 2/3rds out and save. I started lager for the first time last winter and went gangbusters when I did, I went 5 or 6 generations on some 34/70 and several on s23 as well.

 

[Yooper]

I know that it is difficult t wash and collect yeast from a lager beer so I am curious to know if anyone has successfully pitched the wort for a new lager onto the old yeast cake from a lager that has just been kegged or bottled. I know that there can be issues doing this with ale yeast but not sure about lager yeast.

It's not difficult at all to collect lager yeast from a primary- it's easy as can be.

I think it's a great way to make a "big" lager especially. I'd make a 3 gallon batch of light lager, and then use most, if not all, of the yeast to pitch a huge dopplebock. It's the easiest way, rather than making enormous starters.

 

[msa8967]

Thanks for the feedback everyone (especially with it being Christmas Eve). I really want to make a fine lager because I know it is not as easy to do as an ale. Big yeast starters using liquid yeast can be a pain to build up so I am going to try this method when I rack off my latest batch in early January.

Have a great day tomorrow and thanks for sharing your ideas. Encouraging advice from fellow home brewers is one of the best presents I could hope for.

 

[DurtyChemist]

I know that it is difficult t wash and collect yeast from a lager beer so I am curious to know if anyone has successfully pitched the wort for a new lager onto the old yeast cake from a lager that has just been kegged or bottled. I know that there can be issues doing this with ale yeast but not sure about lager yeast.

Pitching on the yeast cake would be the same for ales as lagers. Make sure to oxygenate and let it ride out.