How long do Lager yeast take to ferment?

[ADHD Curmudgeon]

I've just got my brew-fridge cleaned out and started to use it, but I have no idea how long lagers take to ferment at lower temps, as I've only really done them when the weathers cooler and not in a fridge before.

I currently have it running at 12°c.

Any ideas anyone?

[Pale_Ale]

Assuming normal ingredients and conditions , if you leave it for 3 weeks it will be done, or if you're racking and continuing at 12C, 2 weeks in the primary then 2-4 in the secondary.

[lethaldog]

if your brewing your lagers at cooler temps when available then this should be a pretty good indication as just because they are in the fridge set a the right temp does not mean they will take longer than the same temp outside the fridge, in saying that i would usually brew my lagers at 10*C for about 2 weeks then rack and leave in secondary for 2 weeks then ( this is optional) i turn the fridge down to 1-2*C and lager for about another 4 weeks or so but in simplistic terms she should be fully fermented at lager temps in 2-3 weeks

[chris.]

..

[ADHD Curmudgeon]

Sorry, what I meant by cooler weather was that I can get them to 17c but that's about it.

This is the 1st time I've had a fridge available.

[Heals]

I can only get my fridge up to a max of 7-8 degrees...is that too cold to throw my primary fermenter in if I'm doing a lager?

[Kevnlis]

I can only get my fridge up to a max of 7-8 degrees...is that too cold to throw my primary fermenter in if I'm doing a lager?

Thats perfect for something like S-23. It will take a few weeks, but you will have a much nicer beer in the end.

[TommyH]

I can only get my fridge up to a max of 7-8 degrees...is that too cold to throw my primary fermenter in if I'm doing a lager?

Heals.
You need one of these. Best investment I ever made.
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[ADHD Curmudgeon]

I can only get my fridge up to a max of 7-8 degrees...is that too cold to throw my primary fermenter in if I'm doing a lager?

Mines tenth-hand and OLD, so the highest setting seems to be around 12c, but it's not stable. I had to turn it off overnight two days ago because the temperature dropped off the bottom of my thermometer

It seem to have moderately consistancy most of the time.

[ADHD Curmudgeon]

Tommy: One of those could be an advantage with my fridge as well.

[TommyH]

Tommy: One of those could be an advantage with my fridge as well.

You won't regret it. They are fantastic.

[Bakes]

Hi guys. Just threw a lager on two nights ago and put it in a bar fridge to keep the temp down. Its around 10 degs and has been since it went in. Thus far it has not done a lot at all. It has not expelled any co2 and the airlock is backward ( i assume the cooler temps since putting it in has caused the air inside to contract). The yeast is w34/70, and the homebrew guy said to keep it cold and not go over 16. Is it likely to be a slow starter or any other ideas??

[Chris]

I'd just let it be for now. The yeast knows what it is doing.

[rwh]

Yep, just leave it. The lag times and ferment times will all be a lot longer at that temp. Fermentis recommends pitching two sachets if you're fermenting that low, though you can probably get away with one.

[Trough Lolly]

Agreed - it'll be fine. I've had Wyeast 2000 (Budvar Strain) take 5 days plus to kick off at 10C...

The three rules of making good lagers are: patience, patience and patience!

Cheers,
TL

[drsmurto]

I have a pils in primary now using the wyeast 2000 strain and as TK pointed out there was a big delay before noticeable fermentation took off. 3 days in this case but it was at 12C rather than 10. I wasnt quite in full panic mode (ie, standing over fermenter, sachet of dry yeast in hand).

Patience is what lagers are all about - any beer than requires to be cced for weeks at a time is in my book, a test of patience.