Racking / Priming

Andy · Post by **Andy** » Monday Aug 29, 2005 10:30 pm

Just bottled a brew for the first time. I followed the crowd and bulk primed, which I'm glad I did as I used 3 bottle sizes and trying to get those primed acurately individualy would have been an arse. I decided to be conservative and go for 8 grams a litre as suggested in the coopers kit, I certainly would not be popular for making 50 glass grenades on the first attempt. Fingers crossed and fridge ready.

Found that the bonus of bulk priming is that after bottling you have a fermenter already steralised, just waiting for rinsing out and starting a new brew. Nice.

Was there any cricket at the weekend?

Andy

Dogger Dan · Post by **Dogger Dan** » Tuesday Aug 30, 2005 2:25 am

Andy

Sanitized buddy, sanitized.

Friging Pet Peevs, I should just shut up and drink my beer

Dogger

Andy · Post by **Andy** » Tuesday Aug 30, 2005 3:25 am

Okay Dogger, but I'll go for sanitise.

One of my own pet peevs.

Dogger Dan · Post by **Dogger Dan** » Wednesday Aug 31, 2005 2:21 am

Fair Enough

Dogger

Hully · Post by **Hully** » Sunday Sep 18, 2005 10:58 pm

G'day guys
I have a problem with this my first lager.

Made as per earlier post to this thread. Bottled, left 3 days then into fridge for 4 weeks. Tried 10 days later, a bit flat. Moved to warmer spot, left for 3 weeks, tried again, still flat.

I would appreciate suggestions on what to do next.

Something drastic

or try to fix.

Thanks

Dogger Dan · Post by **Dogger Dan** » Sunday Sep 18, 2005 11:12 pm

Are you seeing a sediment build up on the bottom of the bottles, as thick as you would if it had been primed correctly?

And how flat is a bit flat, does it have any carbonation at all?

Dogger

grabman · Post by **grabman** » Sunday Sep 18, 2005 11:35 pm

Have I missed something, you need more than 3 days before putting in fridge! Brew needs time to carbonate/condition before chilling!

Hully · Post by **Hully** » Sunday Sep 18, 2005 11:36 pm

Thanks for the quick reply Dogger

There is sediment in the bottle. Looks less than before but this was my first try at racking. Bottles have some gas, but in the glass has no head and few bubbles rising from bottom. I was concerned I had overprimed as I added 180g sugar to 19L

I didn't finish the bottle, gave the leftovers a good shake in the bottle then poured into the glass. Had a nice head that hung around for a while.
Looked good but still tasted flat if this helps.

Thanks

bobbioli · Post by **bobbioli** » Sunday Sep 18, 2005 11:44 pm

Some of my beers just turned out that way, don't know why

Anyway most were fine. Maybe sat in secondary to long

Hully · Post by **Hully** » Monday Sep 19, 2005 12:03 am

grabman, sorry, missed your reply

The idea was to "lager" for a month then let carbonate.

Was this not good

My second lager I left for ten days before putting in fridge. Has just come out so am leaving for a few weeks before tasting.

Steve

Aussie Claret · Post by **Aussie Claret** » Monday Sep 19, 2005 8:13 am

Hi hully,
Not sure if the one you're talking about is the Morgans Saaz Pilsner, but I made one up a couple of months ago following a recipe from HBS.

I used The Morgans Saaz Pilsner, 1kgs Morgans master blend Liguid Lager malt plus extra saaz hops. Bottle primed with carbonation drops as these are quick and easy.
So its been in the bottle conditioning for about 2 months, the beers is carbonated but doesn't hold a head. Not sure if its anything to do with the ingredients used, but I sound to have a similar problem to you.

I have made other batches and all others carbonated well all holding a good head. I'm thinking that I may be should of added 500g body booster (dex/corn syrup) which will help next time.

I haven't bulk primed previously and find the carbonation drops very easy to use if you're bottling not kegging.

Cheers AC

grabman · Post by **grabman** » Monday Sep 19, 2005 9:29 am

Hully,

From my understanding if you're going to lager then straight into fridge after bottling for 4-8 weeks, then remove and condition/carbonate for 3-4 weeks before going back into fridge to drink.

You need to give each stage time to do it's thing, and remember the longer the better at some stages.

Post by **Oliver** » Monday Sep 19, 2005 1:15 pm

Hully,

What brand of lager is it?

And when you say you moved is somewhere warmer, how warm are we talking? If it's a "lager" that comes with an ale yeast, you'll need it to be above 16C, and preferably 18C for carbonation to occur.

Also, how many bottles have you tried. Perhaps the one bottle you tried had a bad seal and the gas escaped?

Oliver

Hully · Post by **Hully** » Monday Sep 19, 2005 10:31 pm

Oliver, AC, Grab

Brew was Morgan saaz pilsner,Morgans pale malt extract,Saflager W34/70

Tried 2 bottles, 1st on 28/8 2nd on 17/9

First tasted 11 days after "lagering", 2nd 3 weeks later, thought there should be more activity than this.

I may be pushing it a bit, just keen to try as its my first

As Grab says, may need to be a bit more patient.

Thanks

Dogger Dan · Post by **Dogger Dan** » Tuesday Sep 20, 2005 2:50 am

I am thinking its working, It may need more time to get carbonated.

I like leaving a week after bottling at say 17-20 deg C and then chill it

Dogger

silkworm · Post by **silkworm** » Tuesday Sep 20, 2005 7:57 am

G'day Hully,
I've been following this post and although I have not tried lagering I had a very cold cellar ( 5-8 c) for about 2 weeks after bottling a batch of pilsner. It took an extraordinary time to carbonate but is now starting to build up sediment is probably 1/2 way there at the moment. I've had it in the house now for the past 2 weeks at about 15-20 c and it is moving. I am recon and am hoping that in about 2-3 months it should be ready. I can't wait as the flavour is joy in a bottle. I'm hoping that it will be the same for you. In the meantime with the warmer weather I've put down an ale to keep me going.....
Bloody hard to wait though eh! I recomend going to the shop and buying a few Lowenbraus to pass the tiime.

Hully · Post by **Hully** » Tuesday Sep 20, 2005 11:14 pm

Dogger

I have done that with the second one so hopefully it will condition a bit quicker. I think the first one will stay in the cellar for a couple of months before trying again. I wasn't thinking of lagers until next winter as its warming up here but was encouraged by your comments on another thread about brewing lagers at higher temps. Will have to try another soon.

Silk

I agree the waiting is the hardest, but have just tried a ESB Bock brewed 6 weeks ago. Very nice now, should be great in a couple of months. Not a session beer, just something to savour, could get into trouble if I had too many