Recipe Advice?

[Keifer]

Hey Brewers,

I'd like a little of advice on a brew. It's a brewmaster pilsener 23l batch, i added 1kg LME and 250gm dextrose/maltodextrin and 12gm tettnang finishing hops, the yeast was the supplied kit one.

OG was 1041, but after i pitched the yeast, i always forget something... What would my OG have been before i pitched the yeast?

I have it in a fridge which is turned off coz it keeps shorting out after half a day, so i use 10l bottles of frozen water to keep a temp which is about 12-15 constantly.

So how long would i rack it for once primary fermentation is done? 1 week? 2 weeks? do i need to do a diacetyl rest? 1 days? 2 days?

I just got some saaz and fuggles pellets from ESB, should i use some for dry hopping? (never done it before..)

Thanks guys!

 

[Stuster]

Brewcraft have a handy little calculator on their site on this page. I put the details in and the OG should be about 1044. Saaz is definitely the 'right' hop to use with a pilsner kit, but I have read that the saaz pellets are not to everybody's taste for dry hopping. I am yet to do a lager myself so I'll let somebody else answer the other questions re fermenting time.

 

[johnno]

AB,
I usually primary ferment lagers for 2 weeks, then secondary for another 2 weeks followed by 4 weeks cold condition.

Somewhere in there is a diacetyl rest as well. I think I do mine just before the CC from memory.

I have not dry hopped a lager before as I hae not made to many.

cheers
johnno

 

[Tony]

pitchinh your yeast wont change your OG unless you use a LOT of water with it.

1 liter in a 23 liter batch will only change it 1.0005 points.

not worth worrying about mate.

I always take an OG reading with the yeast in.

cheers

 

[dreamboat]

You might have a problem withyour fermentation temp. I would suspect that the yeast in the kit is not a lager yeast, and therefore likely to be more suited to fermenting at around 18C.
How did you add your hops?

dreamboat

 

[Mr Bond]

Yeah,I thought exactly the same thing dream boat.So i went a googling and found this Info Linky.

Its prolly S23 at a guess.

 

[dreamboat]

Very interesting.
Good find Brauluver



dreamboat

 

[DJR]

It's either the Saflager or Mauribrew Lager 497:

http://www.maurivinyeast.com/yeast.aspx?id...286#Lager%20497

Lager 497
Lager 497 is a bottom fermenting lager yeast that produces highly desirable flavour characteristics consistent with quality lager beer. While producing almost no yeast head during fermentation, it is a rapid fermenter with a low oxygen requirement, generally completing within 5 days. This strain has good settling properties, resulting in a green beer of good clarity.


Should ask Coopers about what strain is under the cap for the Pilsener. They are usually pretty good giving out details of what's in kits. [email protected] - or Delboy knows the brewkit guys' phone number.

 

[Keifer]

Well the pack says for pilseners they can be brewed as low as 13c (and obviously better if done) so thats why im aiming at 13c. The sachet was plain white with a code on it, so i dunno what is in, but they do say on the pack it is a lager yeast..

The hops were in a little bag, i remember Ross saying he'd prefer to just rip the bag open and chuck em in, so thats what i done Thought i'd give it a go. Now i've got someone to blame if my brew turns out ****! hehe

Sounds like i'll follow Johno..

I usually primary ferment lagers for 2 weeks, then secondary for another 2 weeks followed by 4 weeks cold condition.

Somewhere in there is a diacetyl rest as well. I think I do mine just before the CC from memory.

Im not sure the yeast is the 497..

While producing almost no yeast head during fermentation

Cause my fermentor has a 2-3cm high brown crusty top on it
I'll defo ask em about it and see what they say.

Thanks!

 

[Mr Bond]

Sounds like the go A.B Keep us posted on the outcome/results.
Given your locale it might be worth PM'ing weizguy or some of the other guys in your area for advice/hookup and help.Seth has been most obliging via PM to me