Brewing a lager over the winter? Suggestions for best taste?

[rpt]

Don't worry about the airlock. The only reliable guide to fermentation is the hydrometer.

 

[Bootcutboy]

Thanks very much RPT, you were dead right, I have checked the SG today and it is at 1.004 so it is ready to bottle. I have another question (shock horror I know) but after reading lots of reviews about lager brewing I only brewed to 21ltrs instead of 23ltrs, however, I tasted it this morning and it is a very strong lager flavour, fine by me but maybe I should have brewed to full 23ltrs as this is for my girlfriend to drink and she only drinks Corona, quite a weak lager taste. If I add say 1/2 or 1ltr to the lager before bottling would it totally ruin my brew?

Also... Sorry I just thought of yet another question haha! Wil secondary fermentation help the lager at all? I only ask because I have no bottles left until I get some more at the weekend but I do have a few demijohns so I could rack off into secondary fermentation for a week or two, or even a month or two? Any suggestions please lager brewers?

Many Thanks if anyone can help with this.

 

[marksa222]

It's probably a combination of brewing short and adding 1kg of brewing sugar + 500g of dme. I think dme is 80% fermentable, meaning you added an extra 40% of fermentables, and made only about 90% of the volume. I bet when ready it will be a much nicer beer than if you made it as per the kit instructions though. Personally I wouldn't weaken it down. Flavours do change in the bottle i've found. It could mellow out. By adding water, you'll affect the body of the beer. Just stick a dash of lemonade in for your Mrs if she's not happy :lol:

If you want to put some into a secondary, it should be fine, aslong as you're careful with sanitising. You may want to keep it somewhere cold for a while to clear. Just be sure to bring it back into the warm when bottling so it carbonates. Also, if you plan to batch prime, make sure you draw off the beer going into the secondary first and then adjust your priming sugar to the reduced amount of beer.

 

[Bootcutboy]

Thanks very much marska, i wont add any water and I have moved Fv into garage until I csn bottle on Saturday, hopefully it will be ready for Christmas and New Year!