lagering a lager?

[wilsoa1111]

Right, just thought i would check with u guys on lagering before i commit 2months of brewfridge space on this wee project, so here goes...

brewed my lager (about 5%):
only one safale packet, naughty i know but it aint half dear, so gave 36hrs at 19 degrees for a cool wort- 18 degrees ish, 4 days to ferment at 9-14 degrees (flat is odd) seemed to slow so popped it up again to 19 degrees for 3-4 days (stopped by 48hrs) (diacytly rest). then left it at 14 again for a few days.

HERES THE SCARY BIT - finally racked it off into a 20l nalgene- fitted with a bit of space left at top, this worried me...

am i right in thinking that like wine, lager needs minimal headspace?

being worried i decided to flush to headspace with co2.... did i need to do this???

having only a long flathead and an s30 canister- the resulting jet was interesting (think fire extinguisher)

after readjusting my underware :whistle: i loosely fastened the top to stem the white gases now inside the nalgene and popped in the fridge,
maxxed out it cant freeze water so i reckon im ok to leave it there???

also is 2 months long enough?

 

[pittsy]

4 weeks is as long as needed , if you do longer it will be a wast unless you go for the full 6 months . But i would be more worried about your ferment temps , i think you will have some fruity esters i'm afraid , not much chance of clean crisp lager but it may still be good.

 

[wilsoa1111]

thanks for the reply, that saved a month of brewfridge space :)
hopefully ill get away with it :pray: ,

certainly smelled proper eggy when chillin, downstairs wasnt a fun place to be when it was down there, and smells lagery now, hopefully a good sign :wha:

but tbh doubt i could detect any subtle faults or fruitiness (not a big lager drinker but nice for a bit of a change/challenge), will bottle the yeast away so i can have a proper go at a later date with enough yeast