1st Lager - A bit of advice please...

[hadders]

Got my fridgemate and is working like a dream so I'm planning to do a lager.

Have got a can of Brewcraft Dutch Lager and was planning to add the following:

1kg Ultrabrew (500g light malt, 250g maltodextrin, 250g dextrose)
250g dextrose.
Tettnang Hops (10 mins before end of boil)

1st question is does this seem ok for a lager recipe?

2nd question is around the yeast - I plan to cool the wort to around 12C before pitching yeast to avoid the need for a diacetyl rest (from what I have read on this forum) and wondered whether the supplied dry yeast (rehydrated) would be ok at that temperature (I have searched everywhere but can not find any info on this kit yeast!). If not I am happy to get a saflager yeast - but which one should I get if necessary?

Apologies if going over old ground for anyone but like I said couldn't find any specific info about this particular kit yeast.

Cheers,

hadders

[blandy]

For the yeast, I'm not too sure what comes with Brewcraft Dutch Lager, but it's probably that no-name sachet stuff, and is therefore probably an ale yeast, not a lager yeast.

Using any of the two SAFLager yeast strains would be better than the kit yeast. Search recent posts on the forum, I think someone else asked some questions about the two salflager yeasts recently.

Even better still, go for a liquid yeast culture (like a wYeast strain). they're a little extra work, and they cost a bit more, but they produce much better beer. Since you can reuse the strains by reculturing them, the costs are about the same as sachet yeasts if you re-use them about 3-4 times. Well worth the extra effort IMHO.

Pitching either one of the SAF strains or a wYeast strain at 12*C should be fine. Brewcraft reccommend pitching 2 sachets of SAFLager if you pitch below about 15*C, I haven't tried this, so I can't comment on it.

[hadders]

Cheers blandy,

That's pretty much what I figured but thought I'd ask the question...

I sent an email to Brewcraft so will see what they come back with - if anything!

Been reading a fair bit about yeast starters and culturing so may try a liquid yeast as you suggest.

hadders

[Pale_Ale]

I'd buy 2 x SAFlager W34/70 and pitch @ 12...or 10.

[hadders]

Thanks Pale_Ale,

Is that 2 x 11g sachets?

Cheers

[Pale_Ale]

Yep

[SpillsMostOfIt]

Sure?

[Zuma]

I have just been using one pkt of lager yeast but have been doing a starter a day or two before. Pitching at say 16oc getting a vigorous ferment and then dropping down to 12oc.

[hadders]

Zuma,

When you pitch at 16C do you then have to give the brew a diacetyl rest or do you just rack into secondary?

Cheers

[hadders]

In case anybody is interested below is the email I sent to Brewcraft and their response!

My Email;
Hi I recently purchased a Brewcraft Dutch Lager homebrew beer kit and
intend to brew at about 12C. Just wondered if the yeast supplied will be ok
pitched at that temp if rehydrated - can not find any info about the yeast
and only has "VDB" printed on sachet.

Any help much appreciated.

Cheers,

Marcus

Response from Brewcraft;
"You should start it at the temp on the kit first. Cheers chris."

So it appears that it is an Ale yeast that is supplied!

Just bought some Saflager 34/70

[hoohaaman]

Hadders.u need to find a new hbs.

May I suggest Ross at http://craftbrewer.com.au/index.php?opt ... e&Itemid=1.


Always excellent service,past and present.

Ross will always give u afair reply.

[Ross]

You'll go fine with the 34/70. But if you want to use the best dried lager yeast on the market IMHO get S-189. Not many people sell it yet, but hopefully more will if you keep asking. We sell it under the brand name CraftBrewer Swiss lager. Ferments hard & stong & is super clean. Our local club comp which this month was Schwarzbier - Had 1st & 2nd place taken out with S-189 against a heap of liquid entries....

cheers Ross

[Zuma]

I rack it after 3 days..

[hadders]

Thanks Ross and Zuma,

Ross, is the S-189 the yeast that comes with the coopers bavarian lager kit. Read on a post that this is so!

Also, Ross, had a look at your site - I am in the early stage of my brewing career and for the moment only intend to do modified kits - do you sell beer kits (couldn't find them) or do you mainly cater for the more "full-on" brewer who brews all-grain beers?

Cheers,

hadders

[Trough Lolly]

Zuma,

When you pitch at 16C do you then have to give the brew a diacetyl rest or do you just rack into secondary?

Cheers

16C is a tad warm for a true lager ferment. The precursors to diacetyl are pH and temperature and I'd say that the 16C fermented lager would only marginally benefit from a diacetyl rest. The best bet, IMHO, would be to rack to secondary and cold condition the lager at around 12C for a few weeks, and raise to room temp for a day or two before bottling / kegging and once again, storing the final lager cold or at least cool...

Cheers,
TL

[hadders]

Cheers TL,

So when you say "The best bet, IMHO, would be to rack to secondary and cold condition the lager at around 12C for a few weeks" this is better than lagering say at 2C before bottling?

My plan was to cool the wort and pitch yeast at around 12C, then reduce to 10C for rest of fermentation (how long should this take at this temp?), then rack to secondary and lager for a few weeks at 2C before priming and bottling (then a couple of weeks at room temp).

Does this sound OK or have I got it wrong??

thanks,

hadders

[Zuma]

So if I pitch at 16oc, get a good ferment happening, drop temp to 12oc and then rack after 3 days thats not good?