Youngs Lager Kit

[evanvine]

Bet you're right CB

 

[broadfordbrewer]

I would imagine the answer lies in the intructions, if they reccomend higher temp fermentation then ale yeast,
If lower temp fermentation, then lager yeast.

Ive made a couple of Young's kits, altho never one of there lager as i dont drink the stuff. but all the instruction seem to be of the same standard layout. It would be interesting to know if it was the youngs starter kit which he is using.

Hi Corby Brewer,

It's the Youngs Definitive Lager kit if you're still interested..

 

[broadfordbrewer]

Something I would do if I had your set of problems would be to warm it up to 24C for a few hours.
Not many (if any) others would, but then I do a lot of things that are not generally accepted :whistle:

Hi, I don't reckon I could get it to that temperature to be honest... it reaches 20C when we're in the house all day and keep the heating on... spoke to my father-in-law last night and he warned me off heating it up further as it might kill the yeast? but I did say I was going to put it next to the radiator!! :shock:

 

[evanvine]

I've pitched many a yeast while the wort has still been an at 24/25C, it doesn't half start quick :grin:

 

[Wez]

I've pitched many a yeast while the wort has still been an at 24/25C, it doesn't half start quick :grin:

that's my prefered practice too then let it drop to your desired fermenting temp

 

[corby_brewer]

Iv'e just recive a reply from young's -

David,

We have more than one Lager kit. Please confirm the exact name of the kit.

John Smith

So sent John back stating it was the Youngs Definitive Lager kit, but now knowing what kit it is im sure Aleman is right in saying its just a standard ale yeast.

 

[Wez]

but now knowing what kit it is im sure Aleman is right in saying its just
a standard ale yeast.

Oh yeah it will be, bishopsfinger said this in an earlier post

Not sure exactly what kind of yeast the kit uses, but it tells you to ferment at a temp between 18-24C.

That AINT gonna be a lager yeast!

 

[damo]

I'm still very new to this game, myself, but I brewed the youngs definitive lager kit a few weeks back. I was able to keep it in the recommended range (18-24) and it reached final gravity within a week.

The fact that your temp is a bit lower probably explains the slower activity and since it's heading in the right direction i'd be inclined to leave it alone for a few more days.

For what it's worth I've been drinking the youngs a little early but it's now reaching the 2 month mark and is a nice, clean lager!

 

[broadfordbrewer]

I'm still very new to this game, myself, but I brewed the youngs definitive lager kit a few weeks back. I was able to keep it in the recommended range (18-24) and it reached final gravity within a week.

The fact that your temp is a bit lower probably explains the slower activity and since it's heading in the right direction i'd be inclined to leave it alone for a few more days.

For what it's worth I've been drinking the youngs a little early but it's now reaching the 2 month mark and is a nice, clean lager!

Hi Damo, that's good to hear... and so far I have opted to do nothing and wait to see what happens. Last nights reading (day 9) was 1017 so I reckon at this pace I'll need to wait another 3-4 days before i reach the 1010. Did you get to 1010?

Hydrometer readings
Day 4 - 1028 (temp 20C)
Day 5 - 1028 (temp 20C)
Day 6 - 1028 (temp 17C)
Day 7 - 1024 (temp 19C)
Day 8 - 1020 (temp 20C)
Day 9 - 1017 (temp 17C)

I'll be drinking some of mine early too.... who could resist right?!? :hmm:

 

[damo]

Hi bishopsfinger,

I've just checked my notes and mine actually got down to 1006 but from what I recall, as long as it is constant over 48 hours, 1010 or below is fine.

Hope it turns out ok for you... let us know!

 

[broadfordbrewer]

Thanks for checking that, its really useful to hear from someone who has used the kit successfully. My wife bough the kit for me from wilko's for about £7 so I was a little worried it wasn't going to be good quality... have since read a bit more about Young's and realise that they're reputable!

Fingers crossed for a nice low reading tonight! I have to get the beer fermented and bottled (and sampled.. .extensively) before I go on my hols in 10 days time.... :shock:

 

[corby_brewer]

Right recieved another Email from John at Young's -

Good afternoon,

The yeast used is a strain of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae.

John

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saccharomyces_cerevisiae

 

[evanvine]

You really know how to get definitive info out of these people don't you Dave :rofl:

 

[chiefstoker]

Why do these companies put a top fermentinting yeast in a Lager kit?

 

[Aleman]

<Cynical Mode>
They don't give a damn about the product?

They use the same packaging line for all the cans, and having to change yeast half way through would be expensive in terms of taking the line out of action.

Plus the fact is they treat all homebrewers with contempt

Plus they can't be bothered.

Plus a neutral ale yeast fermented cool @ 18C (not that their instructions say that ) is much cleaner than a lager yeast fermented warm @20C

And I wouldn't actually want to bet that it really is an ale yeast . . . some generic yeast, probably the cheapest they can get . . . possibly even a wine yeast
</Cynical Mode>

 

[corby_brewer]

Well i sent John at Young's another email asking him why they didnt supply proper lager yeast in the lager kits. Ill post his reply if i get one.

 

[broadfordbrewer]

Update on brew

Day 4 - 1028 (temp 20C)
Day 5 - 1028 (temp 20C)
Day 6 - 1028 (temp 17C)
Day 7 - 1024 (temp 19C)
Day 8 - 1020 (temp 20C)
Day 9 - 1017 (temp 17C)
Day 12 - 1015 (temp 17C)

boy this is slow going! Its still bubbling away and all looks and smells fine so I'm just going to leave it as it is and be as patient as possible

 

[corby_brewer]

Well i sent John at Young's another email asking him why they didnt supply proper lager yeast in the lager kits. Ill post his reply if i get one.

This is the reply i got toay -
David,

Using a Lager yeast will produce an entirely different beer to using an ale yeast strain if fermented cool (ie 15C) However, there is not much to be gained if the consumer cannot strictly control the temperature. Most brewers, in their home, cannot do this.

There is no reason why the kits should not brew out with the existing yeast. We have had no reports of any problem?

John

 

[corby_brewer]

Well i sent John at Young's another email asking him why they didnt supply proper lager yeast in the lager kits. Ill post his reply if i get one.

This is the reply i got toay -
David,

Using a Lager yeast will produce an entirely different beer to using an ale yeast strain if fermented cool (ie 15C) However, there is not much to be gained if the consumer cannot strictly control the temperature. Most brewers, in their home, cannot do this.

There is no reason why the kits should not brew out with the existing yeast. We have had no reports of any problem?

John

 

[ricardo]

Hey CB did you get 2 replies of is that a double post ???
:lol: :lol: