First Pseudo-Lager

[An Ankoù]

I'm about to have a go at my first pseudo-lager and would welcome any advice from those with a wealth of experience. Temperature's up in the 20s and I really don't want to start using my fridges yet so I'll be fermenting at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure. I'm not particularly worried about formulating the recipe, but would welcome pointers on which yeast to use and the ideal temperature range. I've seen threads recommending California Lager yeast, Kolsch yeast and Voss Kveik (no I'm not going to use Voss, I donlt like the flavour it gives). I've, looked too at the Keg That thread on this forum. I'll be looking for a Pilsner type formulation 4.5 to 5 abv and I'll be using NZ hops.
Thanks in advance for any pointers. I'll be getting up early tomorrow to get started.

 

[Brewnaldo]

Theres a couple of liquid ones, Ubbe springs immediately to mind, that are supposed to work well even up to 30 deg C for a lager.

I have just checked my notes that I can find on warmer lager ferments. Cali lager yeast is decent. Ubbe had a fruity taste which I spoke to the lads at CML about and they forwarded on a response from WHC which will be on this site somewhere.... Basically hit it with a shitload of nutrient.

CML Hell seemed to produce some diacetyl oddly....

 

[Benfleet Brewery]

If you can get hold of it, a fake lager brewed at 19-20 degrees with CML Cali is

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

Haven't used it yet, but Lutra kveik is supposed to be good and really clean at 20c. I don't like voss either - it smells like musty books.

 

[Rodcx500z]

Hi An, i did this yesterday Brewfather just swap the yeast

 

[fury_tea]

I've had some great results with 34/70 at ale temperatures.
I've also used Ubbe at 30c which wasn't bad, and also Nottingham for pseudos (usually at a bit lower than 20) and it gives a pretty clean fermentation.

 

[fury_tea]

Haven't used it yet, but Lutra kveik is supposed to be good and really clean at 20c. I don't like voss either - it smells like musty books.

I've used quite a lot of Voss, and it's usually pretty good (I get a citrussy kinda vibe usually), but once I got that musty old book taste and it was really odd. I didn't do anything different as far as I can remember but it did put me off Voss.
Still finished the beer though

 

[Clint]

I've used the MJ cali? Lots of times.

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

I've used quite a lot of Voss, and it's usually pretty good (I get a citrussy kinda vibe usually), but once I got that musty old book taste and it was really odd. I didn't do anything different as far as I can remember but it did put me off Voss.
Still finished the beer though

lol, we don't waste anything in our house either! Voss goes rank every time for me - never again.

Back to AA's question - I use MJ yeast for almost all my beers - I don't think you can go wrong with that brand. If you're considering fermentis K97 though, I would give it a miss. My Kolsch just will not clear.

 

[marshbrewer]

CML Kolsch for me.

 

[Brewnaldo]

Generally just making a Kolsch, will yield something close to a lager and is a great style in its own right tbf.

 

[Oneflewover]

CML Kolsch for me.

I second this. Their Cali common is good too. Someone above mentioned notty, and I agree to an extent, but it's got to be used in the mid teens to be really clean in my experience

 

[MickDundee]

lol, we don't waste anything in our house either! Voss goes rank every time for me - never again.

Back to AA's question - I use MJ yeast for almost all my beers - I don't think you can go wrong with that brand. If you're considering fermentis K97 though, I would give it a miss. My Kolsch just will not clear.

I’m not a massive fan of Fermentis yeasts in general, US-05 aside I’ve been underwhelmed or disappointed with every one of their yeasts I’ve tried.

 

[moto748]

I made a Kolsch once. it was rubbish! And a Cali Common that was little better!

That is my pseudo-lager story!

The Cali Common was MJ M54 and the Kolsch was K97.

To be fair, I was brewing them in July, so was probably pushing my luck.

 

[moto748]

It kinda put me off bothering with this style, but I shall follow AA's experience with interest.

 

[clib]

M54 is a very good warm ferment lager yeast but I've not used it much above 20C and it's recommended range is 18 to 20. If you are in the mid 20s or higher I suspect your options are limited. US05 wouldn't be perfect but it's good up to 26 at least.

 

[An Ankoù]

Theres a couple of liquid ones, Ubbe springs immediately to mind, that are supposed to work well even up to 30 deg C for a lager.

I have just checked my notes that I can find on warmer lager ferments. Cali lager yeast is decent. Ubbe had a fruity taste which I spoke to the lads at CML about and they forwarded on a response from WHC which will be on this site somewhere.... Basically hit it with a shitload of nutrient.

CML Hell seemed to produce some diacetyl oddly....

Thanks. I don't know why or where from, but I've got a some WHC Ubbe. Certainly it needs using, but think I'll keep it until it gets really warm.

 

[An Ankoù]

If you can get hold of it, a fake lager brewed at 19-20 degrees with CML Cali is

If that's CML California Common, then I've got a single sachet. I think that might be the one.

 

[An Ankoù]

Hi An, i did this yesterday Brewfather just swap the yeast

Printed for sober reflection in the morning. Thanks.

 

[An Ankoù]

I've used the MJ cali? Lots of times.

M-54?