HOW LONG FOR LAGER TO CLEAR?

[mancer62]

I made a Mexican Cerveza kit from Wilkinsons 5 weeks ago (8th April) using brewing sugar and it is still very hazy indeed.
It is still sitting on my kitchen worktop in the FV. Any ideas or recommendations? :

 

[Cyclops]

try putting it on a cold floor for a week or two, the cold will help drop the yeast out to the bottom :)

 

[morethanworts]

I'd get it bottled first, I think. If it's not lagering as such (at low temperatures), then you may as well prime it and put it in the bottles, where there will be less movement and guaranteed a good seal. 5 weeks even at room temperature should have got the bulk of the yeast down. You could add some finings to the bottling bucket, but I'd be tempted not to bother, after 5 weeks stood anyway.

 

[wilsoa1111]

if still hazy check ferment has managed to finish (does it taste sweet), probably has but worth a check

if so clear with cold plus or minus some kinda finings (gelatin works well for yeast) if manage to get it properly cold then add the gelatin it should clear in a day or so

u could bottle now but u will get more sediment in the final beer

 

[rpt]

I wouldn't worry about bottling cloudy beer as it will eventually clear in the bottle anyway. I've done a few beers that were cloudy but did eventually clear - I just have to be careful when pouring to leave the sediment behind.

 

[Sone]

My wilkos cerveza was extremely cloudy whilst being in the fv, started to clear after a few days in the bottle and after 2 weeks were perfectly clear :thumb:

 

[morethanworts]

Has it been on the primary bulk (ale) yeast for 5 weeks? Wouldn't be my choice, if that's the case - I'd use a secondary before now, though opinions may vary on that. As I said, I'd get it into bottles ASAP, having checked the SG, unless it's been disturbed somehow.

Better still, next time, consider getting a proper bottom fermenting lager yeast in a season when you can guarantee getting around 10-12C in the FV for 3 or 4 weeks, and then allow to 'lager' even cooler. I was a little late with mine, February, so couldn't properly 'lager' (without a beer fridge) but I did at least get 12C for three weeks and it stayed pretty clear the whole way through. It's like the yeasties are wearing lead boots. :P

 

[mancer62]

Yes my Cerveza has been sitting in the primary bulk (ale) yeast for 5 weeks. I have read that now this the favoured method instead of doing a secondary. Is this correct and will it do any harm sitting in the primary FV for so long? Also I have several Pressure Barrels, King Kegs etc with Co2 as well as plenty of plastic pet beer bottles so which would be the more appropriate to use. :

 

[morethanworts]

Yes my Cerveza has been sitting in the primary bulk (ale) yeast for 5 weeks. I have read that now this the favoured method instead of doing a secondary. Is this correct and will it do any harm sitting in the primary FV for so long? Also I have several Pressure Barrels, King Kegs etc with Co2 as well as plenty of plastic pet beer bottles so which would be the more appropriate to use. :

Bottles, in my view. Unless you're going to add some finings and you can also chill your keg (or you like warm lager!). It's easy to put the odd bottle in the fridge :thumb:

 

[rpt]

Bottles as pressure barrels don't hold pressure very well.