Vienna Lager not clearing and yeasty

[Murphyslaw11]

I brewed a Vienna Lager 1 month ago and hit all of my numbers. I fermented for around 3 weeks until it was cleared of diacetyl. I began lagering at 38 degrees 8 days ago, and I added gelatin 3 days ago to clear it quickly. It looked slightly clearer, but not completely clear. I kegged it tonight and force carbonated. I pulled a few pints and it is not clear. It does not taste bad, but it think it is yeasty. I’m a relatively new homebrewer, so I’m not certain. I realize that Viennas usually lager for weeks, but I thought it was suppose to clear with gelatin. Is the beer just too young? Will the flavor go away even though it’s off the yeast cake? Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you in advance.

 

[Jag75]

Hey welcome to HBT!

Your first couple pints might be like that since your drawing from the bottom which the gelatin dropped all the stuff out of suspension. It should get clearer after that .

 

[Murphyslaw11]

Thank you for the reply. Is this the case even if the gelatin was in the fermenter and I racked the beer off of it into the keg? Thanks again.

 

[Jag75]

The more it lagers it should clear . Can you post a pic ? You brew all grain?

 

[McKnuckle]

If the haze in your beer is yeast, you can usually taste it. It's tart and off-putting, especially in a lager. If you're not tasting that, then it could be that what you're experiencing is chill haze. Note that I said could be. You'll have to wait and see. In my experience, beer is clear in the keg after 3 weeks. The only ones that aren't have hop haze, chill haze, or very low flocculating yeast (usually intentionally, like hefeweizen).

What yeast strain did you use?

 

[Murphyslaw11]

The more it lagers it should clear . Can you post a pic ? You brew all grain?

This is pint 3. It is significantly clearer and less “grassy” than the first 2. I still think it tastes slightly grassy, but not bad.

 

[Murphyslaw11]

If the haze in your beer is yeast, you can usually taste it. It's tart and off-putting, especially in a lager. If you're not tasting that, then it could be that what you're experiencing is chill haze. Note that I said could be. You'll have to wait and see. In my experience, beer is clear in the keg after 3 weeks. The only ones that aren't have hop haze, chill haze, or very low flocculating yeast (usually intentionally, like hefeweizen).

What yeast strain did you use?

I used WLB838 German South Lager. After pulling 3 pints, it cleared a lot, although I believe it should be clearer and less yeasty still. I added the gelatin prior to kegging, but I’ll take your advice and let it clear for a few weeks.

 

[Murphyslaw11]

The more it lagers it should clear . Can you post a pic ? You brew all grain?

Yes, I brew all grain.

 

[Jag75]

What was your process ? I've never made a vienna Lager before . Are they normally that dark?

 

[Moose_MI]

You kegged it last night and you’re only on pint 3 today?

You’re doing it wrong

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Sorry your Vienna Lager hasn't, so far, turned out as desired. Here is my Vienna Lager.

I lagered and fined with plain gelatin. Maybe the photo doesn't show, but the drip tray is seen thru the glass.

I used Wyeast 2206.

I do note White Labs recommends 50-55F for WLB838.

IMO, Devils Backbone is a far second to my Vienna Lager.

 

[McKnuckle]

Show and tell! Here's my Vienna lager. I used S-189, fermented in a keg under pressure at 65F, with closed transfer to serving keg.

 

[Kharnynb]

Here is my, 1 week cellared Vienna lager, will still get clearer and better foam with a week or 2.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Nothing like a Vienna Lager after a 20 mile bicycle ride. Yumm...

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Bit of condensation on the glass, but my fingers are seen thru the Vienna Lager.

 

[Jag75]

Hey Tobor , your ride road or Mnt. bike?

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

I do realize we'd be getting off topic in this thread. I welcome a PM to discuss.

 

[Jag75]

I do realize we'd be getting off topic in this thread. I welcome a PM to discuss.

Sent . I guess I should have asked what type of bike do you ride before you drink your Vienna Lager lol

 

[Alex4mula]

Yeah. Bragging about how clear my beer came out. Just to make the guy feel great. To OP, just wait and it should be better.

 

[McKnuckle]

My photo was just meant to be reassuring. OP's beer (at time of post) was only 8 days in the keg. Mine has been there for six weeks. That's the point of lagering. It does good things, like clearing visually and cleaning up flavorwise.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Yep, lager is much longer than 8 days!

 

[Jag75]

I lagered my Oktoberfest for 6 months . Was hard but I checked it at 3 months and 5 month. Was definitely clearer the longer it was kegged.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

SOP, for me is to lager everything (including ales) and fine with gelatin before kegging. IMO, makes a tremendous difference for a small amount of work. Fits with my mantra "work smart, not hard".

 

[Murphyslaw11]

I know lagering is longer than 8 days, but I thought gelatin was suppose to clear the beer. I put gelatin in my carboy 3 days before kegging. Thanks for the reassurances.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Ah, lagering and fining are 2 different things.

 

[Murphyslaw11]

Ah, lagering and fining are 2 different things.

When should I have cleared it?

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

When should I have cleared it?

A few days before kegging or bottling.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Perhaps, the following is helpful?

"Lager 101: What You Need to Know Before Making Lagers"
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/lagering-101-need-know-making-lagers.html