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Author Topic: Lagering in corny kegs  (Read 5841 times)

Offline tcanova

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Lagering in corny kegs
« on: April 11, 2013, 09:06:11 am »
I am wanting to do an Octoberfest and was curious if anyone lagers in corny kegs?  I have a fridg that is temperature controlled for the primary and diacetyl rest and was thinking I could rack off to a corny keg and let it sit at the lagering temp for 6 weeks. 
What's the worst that could happen?  Beer?


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Offline reverseapachemaster

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Re: Lagering in corny kegs
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2013, 09:11:21 am »
I haven't but I would. You could probably use the same keg for lagering and then put it on tap.
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Offline udubdawg

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Re: Lagering in corny kegs
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2013, 09:22:07 am »
I can't remember the last time I lagered in anything else.  Works great.

Offline beersk

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Re: Lagering in corny kegs
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2013, 09:23:49 am »
I haven't but I would. You could probably use the same keg for lagering and then put it on tap.
Quite, it works rather well.
Jesse

Offline theDarkSide

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Re: Lagering in corny kegs
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2013, 12:06:24 pm »
All my lagering is done in kegs.  The first couple pints will be cloudy, but clear as a bell after that.
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Offline blatz

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Re: Lagering in corny kegs
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2013, 12:30:51 pm »
All my lagering is done in kegs.  The first couple pints will be cloudy, but clear as a bell after that.

that's what i've been doing for years as well.  if I'm bringing the beer to a party (such as an Oktoberfest) then I might jump it to a fresh/clean keg to minimize some of the cloudiness but not always (i.e. I'm lazy).
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Offline ynotbrusum

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Re: Lagering in corny kegs
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2013, 12:32:36 pm »
Same here - always.  Primary for a month, then rack to corny kegs.  You can charge with CO2 in the lagering process, too.  Be careful to transfer only beer (leaving trub), don't shake the keg when putting it on tap, and you won't even have a glass full that is cloudy - in my experience.  Then if you want to transport it, rig up a short piece of tubing with QDC's on both ends and transfer from out post to out post to fill the keg with cleared beer.

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« Last Edit: April 11, 2013, 12:34:10 pm by ynotbrusum »
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Offline tomsawyer

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Re: Lagering in corny kegs
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2013, 01:13:23 pm »
So theres no need to allow gassing off during lagering?  I'm still a little foggy on just what exactly is happening during lagering.  If the yeast are still somewhat active, whether it is better for the beer to be able to "breathe", etc.  If its just a matter of letting the beer drop clear in cold storage, then I think kegs or bottles could be lagered and you could carbonate first.

I'm lagering some bottled/conditioned beer right now.  Four weeks in the fridge at 35F before I take it to a Cinco de Mayo party.
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Offline Pinski

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Re: Lagering in corny kegs
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2013, 01:18:52 pm »
I am wanting to do an Octoberfest and was curious if anyone lagers in corny kegs?  I have a fridg that is temperature controlled for the primary and diacetyl rest and was thinking I could rack off to a corny keg and let it sit at the lagering temp for 6 weeks.
My Ofest primaries for two weeks, D-rests for one, crashes for another one or two then is transferred to cornies where it will lagers to sublime deliciosity for ~5 months.
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Offline AmandaK

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Re: Lagering in corny kegs
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2013, 01:54:43 pm »
I can't remember the last time I lagered in anything else.  Works great.

Same here!
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Online hopfenundmalz

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Re: Lagering in corny kegs
« Reply #10 on: April 11, 2013, 01:57:05 pm »
50 gallons lagering in corny kegs as I type this.
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Offline gsandel

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Re: Lagering in corny kegs
« Reply #11 on: April 11, 2013, 02:01:18 pm »
Quote
I haven't but I would. You could probably use the same keg for lagering and then put it on tap.

This is my preferred method with an Oktoberfest that has won multiple awards over the last three brewings.  I have one sitting carbed in the can now (waiting for late summer).
You wouldn't believe the things I've seen...

Offline dannyjed

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Re: Lagering in corny kegs
« Reply #12 on: April 11, 2013, 02:04:01 pm »
50 gallons lagering in corny kegs as I type this.
That should last for the hot summer months ;)
Dan Chisholm

Offline beersk

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Re: Lagering in corny kegs
« Reply #13 on: April 11, 2013, 02:43:12 pm »
50 gallons lagering in corny kegs as I type this.
I really need another chest freezer and more kegs so I can do this...That sounds ridiculously awesome.
Jesse

Offline AmandaK

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Re: Lagering in corny kegs
« Reply #14 on: April 11, 2013, 02:47:17 pm »
50 gallons lagering in corny kegs as I type this.
I really need another chest freezer and more kegs so I can do this...That sounds ridiculously awesome.

I'm picking up a new freezer tomorrow for this exact purpose.  ;D ;D ;D
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