Temperatures.

[JaseR]

Alright guys new here, and to brewing.

I have a Cooper's lager on the go for the last 4 days and everything seems ok. My OG was 1020, but Cooper's instructions said it should be 1038. I think it was due to the fact my ingredients settled as i didn't dissolve them properly. I took another reading today and it's at 1012. The Krausen has cleared and I can see sediment at the bottom. I know there's awhile to go yet.

My question is to do with the thermostat heater I've used. The temp was around 20c at pitching, and has remained around that since starting 4 days ago. Cooper's recommend a lower temp around 13c for the rest of the brew, but not sure how I would achieve that with no control with the heater. Would it be worth turning the heater off for the final part?.

I have searched online for an answer, so appreciate some advice.

 

[JaseR]

Hope it's ok to bump my thread as I had to wait for the all clear to post. Still not sure if anyone can see my posts.

 

[druid1966]

I might be dead wrong on this...but... as it is early I would mix it up ( you said it might have settled ) and not worry about the temp so much. Yes its a lager, but its a kit and I have found that they are very lienient (sp?) as far as rules go. I use Coopers pretty much exclusively and mess with the rules all the time...and so far...they all taste pretty darn good.

 

[JaseR]

I might be dead wrong on this...but... as it is early I would mix it up ( you said it might have settled )

Hello mate.

Well its been awhile since I posted this and things seem to have stopped fermenting. All the unmixed malt has been used up and I'm left with the layer of yeast on the bottom.

My question was more to do with the heater I'm using as Cooper's recommend a lower temperature than i started with. I've since turned the heater off which was a few days ago in the hope the cooler temp would help clear it before bottling. I started 11 days ago. I have some Cooper's carbonation drops coming in a few days, but as far as I'm aware leaving it for another week wont harm.

 

[BeerisGOD]

Hello
Is it a brew belt heater ur using?or pad?
Either way if you have a cooler place in ur house u shouldnt need this heater your mentioning especially for a lager.
Im not sure how far you want to take the brewing to but a fridge would be the best option to avoid temp issues
Theres loads of advice on here about them.
The other option is setting up a bath with a large container full of water you tgrow ice in now and then or frozen water bottles again there's plenty on them on this forum.
I hope this is of help. I dont like lager and tbh like you would have struggled with maintaining low temps. Maybe next time try an IPA where 20c would be the perfect providing its an ale yeast (eg US west coast)

Happy brewing

 

[JaseR]

Hello
Is it a brew belt heater ur using?or pad?
Either way if you have a cooler place in ur house u shouldnt need this heater your mentioning especially for a lager.
Im not sure how far you want to take the brewing to but a fridge would be the best option to avoid temp issues
Theres loads of advice on here about them.
The other option is setting up a bath with a large container full of water you tgrow ice in now and then or frozen water bottles again there's plenty on them on this forum.
I hope this is of help. I dont like lager and tbh like you would have struggled with maintaining low temps. Maybe next time try an IPA where 20c would be the perfect providing its an ale yeast (eg US west coast)

Happy brewing

Im using a thermostat immersion heater fitted with a grommet into the lid. This is something I'm really interested in and was looking into a fridge set up later on. This Cooper's lager said an initial temp of 21c is ideal although the yeast can ferment as low as 13c. My thermostat kept a steady 20c so think I was in the range. I'm using the stick LCD strips though so I heard they are not the most accurate. The temp with the heater off is around 14c. I'm going to leave it for a few more days then bottle with the carb drops. I like the Cooper's range so might try an Ale next.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Sandimas]

It's worth actually raising the temp of a lager towards the end of fermentation for a few days, something called a Diacetyl Rest, which will clean up some of the buttery flavours.
http://howtobrew.com/book/section-1...-lager-beer/yeast-starters-and-diacetyl-rests

You only need to cool it down 24hrs prior to bottling for the yeast to drop out.

 

[JaseR]

It's worth actually raising the temp of a lager towards the end of fermentation for a few days, something called a Diacetyl Rest, which will clean up some of the buttery flavours.
http://howtobrew.com/book/section-1...-lager-beer/yeast-starters-and-diacetyl-rests

You only need to cool it down 24hrs prior to bottling for the yeast to drop out.

Just come across the term Diacetyl earlier while reading about carbonation. Thanks for the link.

 

[Banbeer]

Hi JaseR, Coopers Lager kits are made to withstand higher temps with the yeast that's provided, I used to substitute the kit yeast with Saflager S-23 a proper lager yeast and ferment it at 14C (in one of my brew fridges) and they were always a good lager when given time to mature. Hope all goes well, happy brewing.

 

[JaseR]

Hi JaseR, Coopers Lager kits are made to withstand higher temps with the yeast that's provided, I used to substitute the kit yeast with Saflager S-23 a proper lager yeast and ferment it at 14C (in one of my brew fridges) and they were always a good lager when given time to mature. Hope all goes well, happy brewing.

Hello mate,

Just looking at that yeast now. they recommend between 11-15C. I wouldn't need my immersion heater for that?. Im understanding higher temps for ale yeasts?.

 

[Banbeer]

Yes, most brewers only make lager in the winter for obvious reasons if they have no temp control and IPA, Bitter etc in the summer months, before I was fortunate to have the room for my fridges and temp control kit I used various ways to cool/heat my brews and all of the tips were off this forum.

 

[JaseR]

Yes, most brewers only make lager in the winter for obvious reasons if they have no temp control and IPA, Bitter etc in the summer months, before I was fortunate to have the room for my fridges and temp control kit I used various ways to cool/heat my brews and all of the tips were off this forum.

Ah right starting to make more sense to me now.

Im seriously looking into a fridge set up. I like the idea of controlling the temps. I have the room indoors as well so something to get stuck into.

 

[chrisb8]

A temperature controlled brew fridge is a must in my opinion if you want to make lager with true lager yeast which needs temperatures in the range you are suggesting, 11-15C. This allows precise control of temperature. You can incorporate your heater into the setup so that you can raise the temperature to the low 20s for a diacetyl rest to finish the fermentation process.

Alternatively you can consider using pseudo lager yeasts like california common which can be used at room temperatures.

 

[Banbeer]

I have 3 fridges, 2 I use for brewing and one I use to chill the beers after carbonation. Look on Gum Tree or ebay, I bought my last one on ebay and paid £20 for it and its only 4 years old but make sure that it has no freezer compartment as this will make the inside too small for a 23L Fermenting Vessel with airlock, also make sure it's 600mm wide too.

 

[jMac]

My OG was 1020

Are you sure that’s right? Your beer will only have an ABV if just over 1% if it is.

x

 

[chrisb8]

I think it was due to the fact my ingredients settled as i didn't dissolve them properly.

Are you sure that’s right? Your beer will only have an ABV if just over 1% if it is.

If the extract hasn't been sufficiently mixed in with the water then it may give an inaccurate gravity reading

 

[JaseR]

If the extract hasn't been sufficiently mixed in with the water then it may give an inaccurate gravity reading

I think that's why the reading was so low to begin with. I should have stood the can in hot water first, and mixed in thorough. I don't think I can have much confidence in the initial reading. It's a lesson learned for next time.

I bottled up last night, and it looks good. I got a a taste out of the Syphon, and apart from it seeming a bit flat I'm hoping the carbonation will pep it up a bit.

 

[JaseR]

Are you sure that’s right? Your beer will only have an ABV if just over 1% if it is.

x

Cooper's say the OG should be 1038. I'll be sure to mix the ingredients well next time. I'm already looking into my next one.

 

[JaseR]

I have 3 fridges, 2 I use for brewing and one I use to chill the beers after carbonation. Look on Gum Tree or ebay, I bought my last one on ebay and paid £20 for it and its only 4 years old but make sure that it has no freezer compartment as this will make the inside too small for a 23L Fermenting Vessel with airlock, also make sure it's 600mm wide too.

I was on gumtree last night and seen a few on there. I definitely need one for fermenting, but didn't think of another for chilling. It has crossed my mind what am i going to do with all these bottles lol. 600mm wide?...right ilI remember that thanks.

 

[JaseR]

A temperature controlled brew fridge is a must in my opinion if you want to make lager with true lager yeast which needs temperatures in the range you are suggesting, 11-15C. This allows precise control of temperature. You can incorporate your heater into the setup so that you can raise the temperature to the low 20s for a diacetyl rest to finish the fermentation process.

Alternatively you can consider using pseudo lager yeasts like california common which can be used at room temperatures.

Thanks for the info I appreciate it.