True Brew Kit Lager Fermentation Time

DiggidyD · May 1, 2015

I purchased a kit of German Black Lager by True Brew. The directions say to lager at 46-52 for 5-7 days then bottle. I was a little suspect at the higher temp and the directions indicated that it should only bubble for 3-4 days.

Well, I am going on 11 days now and its still bubbling away. Seems like bottling now would be a mistake, so my initial thought is to just let it go until it stops.

Any thoughts and has anyone made the True Brew German Black Lager?

JonM · May 1, 2015

Those sound like ye olde tyme instructions. Generally, you want to ferment until the yeast is done fermenting. They don't work on a schedule, so just let them do their thing for as long as it takes. And don't base done-ness on bubbling. Instead, after a couple weeks, measure the specific gravity and then do it again a couple days later. If the readings are the same, then it's done.

JimRausch · May 3, 2015

Any of the Truebrew kits that I've seen came with a 7gm packet of Munton's ale yeast. They may call it a lager, but unless you changed the yeast, it isn't.
Their directions are definitely sparse and lacking in important info.
I agree with Jon above, wait. Give her at least 2 weeks and then take a series of SGs. If stable, you can think about bottling. But it will be better if you give it even more time.

DiggidyD · May 4, 2015

It was fermenting strong at 48, which would be a little lo2 for ale yeast.

I turned the temp up for 2 days and will lower it to 36 for the next week and rack it.

DiggidyD · May 18, 2015

I bottled the beer 1.5 weeks ago. I tried one yesterday and it is tasting great, but there is no carbonation at all. I cold crashed it, bottled and left it back in the freezer at 38 degrees. Now i am in the process of warming if 5 degrees. Will it start to carbonate once it gets around 55? How long does a lager take to carbonate normally?

I have to say its tempting to simply drink it flat.