Lager question

[Duncs]

So I decided to have another go at making lager, my first attempt was a total faliure and I had to pour 5 gallons of murkey smelly stuff down the loo. This time, I'm making this san miguel clone. It's been in the fermenter now for 5 days, going along quite happily, but what do I do next? I want to bottle it and I have lots of bottles ready, but I want a nice clear lager. Do I clear the beer and then bottle with half a teaspoon of sugar or do I bottle while still cloudy and add the sugar?

 

[Wez]

You will need some yeast in suspension for the secondary fermentation to take place in the bottle. I'd transfer it to bottles when it has been at final gravity for 48 hrs.

 

[Duncs]

Thanks Wes, so it clears in the bottle, no need to add anything else to get it to clear?

 

[Wez]

Clears in the bottle yep :thumb:

When it finishes fermenting most of the yeast will have dropped out but it won't be clear.

 

[Duncs]

Fantastic, thanks. One more question.... Can I drink it now? :drink: :drink: :drink: :

 

[Duncs]

another question... I bottled this a couple of weeks ago into 1 litre PET bottles with a teaspoon full of sugar and it was still a little cloudy. I checked them last night and the bottles are still fairly squishy and the lager is now pretty clear. so I now have 23 liters of flat, sweet lager. Is there anything I can do to get that fizz back? can I add a little bit of yeast to each bottle so it starts fermenting again or will I have to develop a taste for flat lager?

 

[tubby_shaw]

Yes as you say your best bet is to add some more yeast and stand in the warm for a week, then let it clear in the cold again. I hope it works for you :thumb:

 

[aeddon]

I remember the fermentation being really smelly, like gone off eggs, thought it had gone off but was assured it was just the yeast characteristics.

I used a coopers european lager kit with it and they recommend leaving to condition for 12 weeks!!!!! i managed to make it to about 9 before drinking 19 litres in one night :drunk:

had some help of course :

 

[Duncs]

Yeah, I saw it recomended 12 weeks and thought that would be rather a long time. I added a little more yeast to most of the bottles last night so I can get that fizz, a couple of bottles managed to get drunk while I was doing it :drink: it tasted absolutly fine to me, just a bit flat :drunk:

 

[aeddon]

i must say it really does improve considerably if left, but dont blame you. No real difference to san miguel/sol. very nice and i truly believe it must have been beginners luck as it was a dam fine beer, crystal clear and perfect carbonation for a first lager attempt.