Topic: Lagering
Using a Water Bath for Temperature Control
Plus Members OnlyControlling temperature is a key part of producing better beer. Whether it is keeping your fermenting beer in the proper temperature range for the yeast strain you’ve chosen or for extended lagering techniques, being able to accurately dial in temperature will result in a higher quality beer without risking off-flavors, off-aromas, and incomplete fermentation if
Kräusening For Homebrewers
Digital and Plus Members OnlyKräusening is a lagering method with two main uses. And both are based on the same basic technique of adding some beer in the “high kräusen” stage of fermentation to beer that has undergone primary fermentation. The attenuation level of the beer being kräusened is what divides the two uses. Let’s start with beer that
Brewing Continental-Style Lagers: Tips From the Pros
Digital and Plus Members OnlyContinental-styled lagers are often malt-forward beers. We sat down with two award-winning brewers to talk malts for your next bottom-fermented recipe.
Brewing Lagers for a Beginner
Digital and Plus Members OnlyOne of the keys to brewing great lager beers, really, is keeping the fermentation temperature cool. There is no way to sugar-coat the importance of this fact. Lager beers that are fermented warmer than about 58 °F (14.5 °C) often have fruity aromas and sometimes have strong solvent and sulfur notes depending on the yeast
Diacetyl Rest
Digital and Plus Members OnlyOne of the most common flaws in the beers brewed by homebrewers who are new to the hobby, particularly in lagers, is diacetyl. Diacetyl, which has a taste and aroma of butter or butterscotch, is naturally present in all beer during fermentation. Also known as 2,3 butanedione, diacetyl is produced through a chemical reaction out-
Lagering for Beginners
Digital and Plus Members OnlyBrewing lagers can be very intimidating for new homebrewers — which is one of the reasons most begin with brewing ales. But, if your favorite beer styles to drink are Pilsners, märzens, bocks, etc…, then you can’t run from lagering! Once you understand the differences between brewing lager and ale, the extra steps really aren’t
Fast Lager Experiment: Traditional vs. Quick Fermentation
Digital and Plus Members OnlyMany homebrewers avoid making lager styles due to how convoluted and time consuming the process is. In addition to recommendations calling for yeast pitch rates nearly double that needed for ales, step mashing, and extended boil lengths, many believe genuine lager character can only be produced by following an already lengthened cool fermentation stage with an
The Big Chill
Digital and Plus Members OnlyFor the vast majority of consumers, “lager” is synonymous with “beer” — after all, all the mass-market favorites are lagers. Advanced consumers might recognize that most beer can be categorized as either an ale or a lager, but not really understand the distinction beyond their favorite brands. Beginning brewers might know the difference has to do
Bottle Conditioning Lagers
Digital and Plus Members OnlySince you are new to brewing lagers, I would focus 100% of my attention to primary fermentation and how the yeast behaves when fermented at cooler temperatures. Ale brewers are accustomed to having aggressive behavior during primary fermentation and the aroma coming from the fermenter is usually quite nice. Lagers are a different creature all
Low-Dissolved Oxygen Lagers
Digital and Plus Members Only“I don’t know if it is a general problem to comprehend or follow instructions properly but hopefully others can break out of these habits and actually give [low dissolved oxygen brewing] a proper go!” Such was one response (following an enumeration of my seven errors) to a blogpost detailing my first lackluster batch of low
Fast Lagers: Ferment Your Favorite Lagers in Less Time
FREEWhen I was a new homebrewer, I think I was like pretty much every other new homebrewer. The thrill of making beer for yourself overwhelmed me and I wanted to brew pretty
Pinning Down Pilsner
Digital and Plus Members OnlyThe word “Pilsner” conjures images of beautiful German women in Dirndls delivering multiple liters of fresh-brewed paradise to groups of anxiously awaiting patrons. No doubt, German brewers were integral in crafting this masterpiece of a beverage and they continue to make some of the world’s best examples today. Despite the perception of the words “German”