Lager tasts "aley"

THE_Liam · Sep 26, 2012

Bottled a Tom Caxton Lager kit about a week and a half ago, I couldn't keep the fermentation temps down as much as I'd have liked to so it averaged about 24 degrees while fermenting. Tried one last night to see how it had gone and it had a really strong, bitter taste to it, tasted almost like an ale...

It came with a packet of hops that you can add to the brew and I added about half of it, but as with all beer kits I've done I didn't boil it, is that the problem or is it the temps? And will it improve if I leave it for a few weeks?

Green Ninja · Sep 26, 2012

It'll probably be the yeast you used.

Did you use the yeast that came with the kit as that will deffo be an ale yeast.

Real lager yeasts don't come with the kits unfortunately as they are quite expensive and need to be fermented at very low temperatures compared to ales.

THE_Liam · Sep 26, 2012

Yeah I used the yeast with the kit, is that it you reckon? It tastes pretty bad to be honest, think it'll improve or should I pour it away? I don't like to throw it but I could do with the bottles to be honest...

graysalchemy · Sep 26, 2012

It will most definately be the yeast but also the temp. Firstly 24c is way to high even for an ale 18-21c is the normal. Ale like fruity flavours are caused by esters which ale yeast likes producing but they also produce more with higher temps, so I would have said it was the combination of the two.

At that temp you may well taste a solventy taste :sick: as well which is fusel alcohols produced at higher temps.

If you want a lager you need a lager yeast and a lot lower temps.

:thumb:

THE_Liam · Sep 26, 2012

I've got a Coopers Lager fermenting at 18 degrees now, but I used the kit yeast, think it'll turn out ok? I think I'm gonna bin the Caxton's, it does taste quite solventy...

Ah well, I'm still a beginner. As my dad always said, the best way to learn is to do it, f*ck it up, then learn to do it right and try not to f*ck it up again....

Quite the poet my old man :hmm:

shearclass · Sep 26, 2012

Some of teh coopers kits some with Lager Yeast Pilsner and European Lager), and some come with a mix of ale and lagers yeast (Mexican Cerveza and others)

Even so, if you are fermenting a lager type beer you want to keep temps no higher than 12C if using an appropriate yeast.