[quote=“Beersk”][quote=“kcbeersnob”]I only brew ales, but I have been thinking about not hoarding hops this year, so I can turn my hop freezer into a fermentation chamber that would be suitable for lagers.
Who am I kidding? I’m going to hoard hops.[/quote]
This is something I used to do…it’s ridiculous…having pounds and pounds of hops I just cannot possibly use. Pretty much all I need is 1 or 2 American varieties and a couple German varieties.[/quote]
I actually didn’t go crazy last year. A pound each of Amarillo, Cascade, Columbus, Centennial, Magnum, Citra and Goldings. Since I prefer whole hops, they take up more space than what would fit in our kitchen freezer.
[quote=“kcbeersnob”][quote=“Beersk”][quote=“kcbeersnob”]I only brew ales, but I have been thinking about not hoarding hops this year, so I can turn my hop freezer into a fermentation chamber that would be suitable for lagers.
Who am I kidding? I’m going to hoard hops.[/quote]
This is something I used to do…it’s ridiculous…having pounds and pounds of hops I just cannot possibly use. Pretty much all I need is 1 or 2 American varieties and a couple German varieties.[/quote]
I actually didn’t go crazy last year. A pound each of Amarillo, Cascade, Columbus, Centennial, Magnum, Citra and Goldings. Since I prefer whole hops, they take up more space than what would fit in our kitchen freezer.[/quote]
Anyone know of the top of your head what size chest freezer it takes to accomodate 2 6.5 gal carboys?
In the last 14 years, I have brewed 19 lagers and 730 ales so I am at 2.5% lager or 97.5% ales. I just don’t think the lager is worth all the extra hassle so I only do it when necessary and in winter months.
Lagers are SO worth it. They don’t take all that much more effort with an accelerated fermentation schedule. They don’t need to be lagered to the point of crystal clarity to taste like they should.
I guess it’s dependent upon the ‘hump’ size and configuration though. I have a 6.9 and it will only fit one carboy.[/quote]I just double checked and theres an inch or two to spare. I might have a 7.1 cu-ft model, it’s hard to tell now that it’s full.
Lagers are SO worth it. They don’t take all that much more effort with an accelerated fermentation schedule. They don’t need to be lagered to the point of crystal clarity to taste like they should.[/quote]I agree, they are good but for me, it’s the hassle of making a starter large enough for 22 gallons. I use US-05 for my ales due to ease of use.
[quote=“Brew Cat”]I agree it would take a lot of yeast but couldn’t you just make a couple 5 gallon batches then keep repitching.[/quote]Thats what I essentially do but still kind of a PITA. A 5 gal batch in a 25 gal system seems like an incredible waste of time.
Great. I always found a lot of lagers lacking especially store bought. I guess they go for mass appeal. That’s why I brew my own so I can do what I want. I usually go outside the line . I have never bottled my lagers but I do enjoy them from the keg. I have my first lager of the season going now its my Brew Cat Pale recipe with lager yeast. Ten gallon batch split onto two buckets one lager one ale. I’m going yo compare them.
I believe in that old saying “for simple beers one needs the ‘Best and freshest ingredients’ and take the most care making them”. I make maybe 1or2 lagers a year. I like them dry and crisp, and they are so refreshing, I can’t understand why I don’t do more. To me when you can make a simple beer well, like most lagers, there’s no place to hide, and that’s an accomplishment.
