Lagering

[Andy Taylor]

Hi all,

I have a pilsner that is almost ready to bottle. Instructions say to lager at 2deg before bottling/kegging (after 20 days at 10deg and then a couple of days at 16deg). This makes sense if you're kegging but if bottling, when is carbonation going to occur?

I am bottling (will invest in kegs etc one day but not just yet) but I want to know when would be best to condition/carbonate in the bottle - before lagering or afterwards? I have asked this question on other forums and received reasonable answers supporting before and afterwards.

To me, it seems kind of arse about face to lager it and then warm it up again, because it would probably need lagering again after carbonation anyway.

Any thoughts?

cheers

Andy

[Crusader-Rob]

before doing that I'd suggest checking the gravity and tasting to confirm no off flavors (lagers like diacetyl (butter/popcorn))

Run a force D-Test (2 samples one at cold temps, and the other exceedingly warm (smell and taste)

If you do get it raise the temp to around 18-20 degrees to try get it to finish out properly. then bottle carbonate and alger from there.

[Andy Taylor]

Thanks Rob, will try that.