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Author Topic: First lager!!  (Read 8245 times)

Offline thomasben

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First lager!!
« on: November 27, 2012, 01:34:41 pm »
Any ideas on what a good first lager would be? Maybe thinking helles or bock or maybe Oktoberfest.

Any tips would be highly appreciated. I also should add I have a temperature controlled vessel. 

Offline mmitchem

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Re: First lager!!
« Reply #1 on: November 27, 2012, 01:36:28 pm »
I vote Munich Dunkel!
Michael P Mitchem
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AHA Member since 2011

Offline thomasben

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Re: First lager!!
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2012, 01:58:20 pm »
Yummmmm

Offline weithman5

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Re: First lager!!
« Reply #3 on: November 27, 2012, 01:59:35 pm »
i would also vote for a dunkel.  very forgiving. no big deal if it fades into a schwarzbier.  loaded with flavor.  also nice headed in to the winter, be ready for first of march.  then follow this up with a good dopplebock for easter.
Don AHA member

Offline theDarkSide

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Re: First lager!!
« Reply #4 on: November 27, 2012, 02:04:47 pm »
My first lager ( last January ) was a Munich Helles and I got a silver at NHC.  Your results may vary (i.e. Gold :) ).

Temp control, big yeast pitch, O2, and time/patience.  I also use a method that I heard from Jamil Zainasheff about letting the wort sit overnight at fermentation temp, transferring to another vessel, hitting it with O2 and pitch the yeast.  I was amazed at how much break material formed just overnight in the first carboy.  It is now a method I use with all my lagers.  I pitch cold ( 44 F ) and let it free rise to 50 F and hold it there. 

Good luck!
Seacoast Homebrew Club - Portsmouth, NH
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Offline Iliff Ave

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Re: First lager!!
« Reply #5 on: November 27, 2012, 02:12:35 pm »
Schwarzbier
On Tap/Bottled: IPL, Adjunct Vienna, Golden Stout, Honey Lager
Fermenting: IPA
Up Next: mexi lager, Germerican pale ale

Offline hopfenundmalz

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Re: First lager!!
« Reply #6 on: November 27, 2012, 02:12:52 pm »
My first lager ( last January ) was a Munich Helles and I got a silver at NHC.  Your results may vary (i.e. Gold :) ).

Temp control, big yeast pitch, O2, and time/patience.  I also use a method that I heard from Jamil Zainasheff about letting the wort sit overnight at fermentation temp, transferring to another vessel, hitting it with O2 and pitch the yeast.  I was amazed at how much break material formed just overnight in the first carboy.  It is now a method I use with all my lagers.  I pitch cold ( 44 F ) and let it free rise to 50 F and hold it there. 

Good luck!

That is pretty standard for the German brewers. Maybe Kai can say if they all do it. Might be something to try.

Good show on the Silver.
Jeff Rankert
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Ann Arbor Brewers Guild
Home-brewing, not just a hobby, it is a lifestyle!

Offline Pinski

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Re: First lager!!
« Reply #7 on: November 27, 2012, 02:31:27 pm »
My first lager was a Schwarzbier, brewed on Black Friday 2011.  The last bottle was consumed last week, Black Friday 2012.
Steve Carper
Green Dragon Brewers
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Offline thomasben

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Re: First lager!!
« Reply #8 on: November 27, 2012, 02:32:06 pm »
Sounds fun!! I'll try that method!!

Offline majorvices

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First lager!!
« Reply #9 on: November 27, 2012, 03:56:00 pm »
for a standard 1.050ish lager the slurry from a gallon starter would not be too big! You will have the best results following the advice above, chill down to ~44-46, aerate big and pitch. Let it settle out ~48-50.

Offline thomasben

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Re: First lager!!
« Reply #10 on: November 27, 2012, 04:16:23 pm »
Thanks for all the advice. Feel like I'm really gaining some valuable knowledge

Offline weithman5

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Re: First lager!!
« Reply #11 on: November 27, 2012, 04:50:22 pm »
Thanks for all the advice. Feel like I'm really gaining some valuable knowledge
well, knowledge any way 8)
Don AHA member

Offline mpietropaoli

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First lager!!
« Reply #12 on: November 27, 2012, 07:50:48 pm »
Big +1 to jamils method.  Made my first lager (ok fest) and it turned out GREAT.  Clean and malty. 
Bubblin': helles
Flowin': IIPA, Doppelbock, Flanders
Sittin': More Flanders, Braison,
Thinkin': wit, more helles

Offline thomasben

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Re: First lager!!
« Reply #13 on: November 27, 2012, 07:53:03 pm »
So you let it settle overnight and then just rack to primary and ferment?

Offline majorvices

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First lager!!
« Reply #14 on: November 28, 2012, 05:59:43 am »
Big +1 to jamils method.  Made my first lager (ok fest) and it turned out GREAT.  Clean and malty.

Not necessarily JZ's method. This is standard lager practice.