Lagering without a fridge

[andrewkonoff]

Hey all,

I just started up a partial grain German pilsner, and it's sitting in an 11*c basement at around 13*c. I'm probably going to do a diacetyl rest then rack to secondary after two weeks (not sure on the exact timing of the diacetyl rest), but I'm wondering if I should find a way to get it really cold for secondary, or if 11*c is going to be good enough to get a good clean lager taste. I expect I'll keep it in the secondary for 4 weeks or so, then bottles for 3, for a total of 9 weeks, as I get the sense that the extra time really helps lagers out.

-Andrew

[mr x]

That's all I've ever done for lagering, but i'm not sure if it's optimal.

[LiverDance]

3 days should be enough for your D-rest.

[andrewkonoff]

That's all I've ever done for lagering, but i'm not sure if it's optimal.

That's good to know - honestly, this thing should be hoppy enough that anything slightly off should be overpowered. How long do you let your lagers sit for before bottling?

3 days should be enough for your D-rest.

Cool, I'll do that - I'm reading that I should bring up the temperature a little bit before fermentation stops, is that what you do?

[LiverDance]

Yes sir, you are correct.

[mr x]

I keg everything and let it lager in the kegs.

[amartin]

I rack into carboys after my diacetyl rest, then put the carboys in garbage bags filled with pink insulation and put them on the back deck. Beer has a lower freezing point than water, and the insulation helps keep the temperature stable. However, this only works in the winter, and if it drops past -10ºC for more than a few days I have to bring them inside.

[sleepyjamie]

I rack into carboys after my diacetyl rest, then put the carboys in garbage bags filled with pink insulation and put them on the back deck. Beer has a lower freezing point than water, and the insulation helps keep the temperature stable. However, this only works in the winter, and if it drops past -10ºC for more than a few days I have to bring them inside.

nice. decent idea for a cheap and dirty lagering system. definitely gonna try that out.

[amartin]

I rack into carboys after my diacetyl rest, then put the carboys in garbage bags filled with pink insulation and put them on the back deck. Beer has a lower freezing point than water, and the insulation helps keep the temperature stable. However, this only works in the winter, and if it drops past -10ºC for more than a few days I have to bring them inside.

nice. decent idea for a cheap and dirty lagering system. definitely gonna try that out.

I should have mentioned, I put rubbing alcohol in the airlock so it doesn't freeze. As the temperature drops, the pressure inside will lower and if your airlock is frozen you risk having your carboy implode.