8 replies to this topic

[Brownbeard]

Is it too late to brew a lager for 4th of july? My brother is getting married, and I want to do a keg of something for his rehearsal. My dad is always saying he would like a german pilsner (he spent some time in germany for the military). Is it too late to start something like that now? It would not be a hoppy beer, as they are usually BMC drinkers. So, I would be working on the lower end of the IBU scale for the style.

[Gumbo Leviathan]

I say go for it. If you get it going this weekend it should finish primary, in theory, around early May. Lager all through May and June. Dont forget to tape a beechwood chip to the outside of your lagering carboy for that authentic "beechwood aging" :covreyes:I am planning on starting a BoPils this weekend and I figure it will be ready to go around Julyish

[stellarbrew]

I'm pretty sure that the big American breweries turn out their lagers in less time than that.

[BrewerGeorge]

Heck no, it's not too late at all.Brew 4/11. Transfer to keg/secondary on 5/2, and you've got 8 weeks to play with for lagering and carbonating. Plenty of time.

[Jimmy James]

I have had good luck with WLP 833 - German Bock yeast in terms of chewing through something fairly quick. Pretty much everything I have brewed with that strain has been finished with primary fermentation after 2 weeks, usually I give it a 3rd week to be safe. I think it's also a pretty balanced flavor profile so maybe a good yeast strain for your purpose.

[dagomike]

Yup, I'm brewing a lager for about second week in July Friday. A good solid 10-11 weeks for lagering is great. Just keep your hands off of it.

[Zulu]

Big boys - 21 days kettle to bottle.In Germany , many many light lagers are drunk within 3 weeks of being brewed and some brewers will lay some aside for a true lager.Bigger beers are certainly put away for a good keller lager though

Edited by Zulu, 09 April 2009 - 03:38 PM.

[drewseslu]

Plenty of time.Schlafly Kellerbier comes out then, too!