lager ferment temps?

[jimlin]

My basement right now has an ambient temp of 54° F.

Haven't never brewed a lager, I'm contemplating it. I don't have method of holding the temp down, only up (fermwrap). Do you think a tub of water with frozen water bottles would be good enough? Wyeast 2007 (Pilsen Lager) is listed as needing temps between 48 and 56, but I assume the lower end of that range is preferred?

Might just try a very simple recipe to shoot for something like Victory's Prima Pils. All Pilsen malt. German Tett and Czech Saaz for hops.

How long would a 5% pils need to ferment, roughly? I would likely lager in bottles as I don't keg. Or would lagering in my 5 gal better bottle in the fridge (around 40°) work?

Sorry for all the questions, but I don't want to go through the effort if my cellar conditions are going to fight me on this first attempt at a true lager (have done Cal Common and Altbier)

[adamK]

How long would a 5% pils need to ferment, roughly? I would likely lager in bottles as I don't keg. Or would lagering in my 5 gal better bottle in the fridge (around 40°) work?

Depending on how much yeast you pitch, O2 you put in, and the temp you keep it at, I would think it will ready for a d-rest in 2 to 3 weeks. If you keep it at those ambient temps, you should be fine in 2 weeks, if you drop the temp down to the mid 40s, I would expect about 3 weeks. If you just throw a vial in when the beer is already cold, you will likely need 4+ weeks.

I have heard (I believe BTV had an episode) that the pilsen lager strain handles pretty well at the upper temps. They recommend it for warm fermentations.

Bulk aging is often preferred, as you will get more consistency, cleaner bottles and have a better source of material for flocculation/lagering. I would suggest using the 5 gallon better bottle in the fridge for a month+ (they say they are oxygen proof for that time period), but it will likely lager in the bottle just fine.

Good Luck!

[jimlin]

Would fermenting at 54 give off flavors more than at 48? Benefits to lower ferment temp?

[adamK]

As a general rule, more esters (not always considered off flavors) and higher alcohols (though not in this temp range) will be created at higher temperatures. Cooler temps generally means a cleaner (but slower) fermentation (within proper ranges), though the effects of the temperatures is strain dependent.

[ziggy]

54 should be fine. Do it! Don't be scared. It will at least taste like lager.

[brewinhard]

I am assuming you don't have a temperature controller to work with? If not, I would say that 54F should be fine for a lager. Just be sure to pitch a large healthy sized starter to decrease the amount of esters produced when the yeast is in its lag phase.

[jimlin]

I am assuming you don't have a temperature controller to work with? If not, I would say that 54F should be fine for a lager. Just be sure to pitch a large healthy sized starter to decrease the amount of esters produced when the yeast is in its lag phase.

I have a Johnson temp controller which I have only used to warm up my carboy in the basement to maintain mid/upper 60s where I keep my ales. I don't have a setup for cooling it though. The fridge in the basement is a old kitchen fridge in which I keep beer along with some things that might not fit in the fridge in our kitchen. Eventually I'd like to drill holes for a couple faucets in the door and start kegging.

[brewinhard]

I am assuming you don't have a temperature controller to work with? If not, I would say that 54F should be fine for a lager. Just be sure to pitch a large healthy sized starter to decrease the amount of esters produced when the yeast is in its lag phase.

I have a Johnson temp controller which I have only used to warm up my carboy in the basement to maintain mid/upper 60s where I keep my ales. I don't have a setup for cooling it though. The fridge in the basement is a old kitchen fridge in which I keep beer along with some things that might not fit in the fridge in our kitchen. Eventually I'd like to drill holes for a couple faucets in the door and start kegging.

Why not plug in your controller to your fridge and set it to 50F to maintain those temps for your lager then?