Freestyler Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 Hey guys, I'm new to Home brewing and to the forum on the coopers site. So firstly I'd like to say hi to everyone out there and I'm looking forward to getting involved in here. I've just bottled my first brew, the kit lager and just followed the directions without any additions or adjustments and everything went smoothly enough. I usually drink lagers down here in South Africa and would like to make a good lager next although I cant get fermenting temperature under 20-21 degrees. Is it possible to brew a lager from 21 degrees upwards? Also are there any suggestions in changing the recipe up, I've been told using the brew enhancer adds a 'horlicks' flavour to the beer and some have suggested using only Dextrose or possible other substitutes. Being new to home brewing I will need to keep this as simple as possible, no racking, secondary fermenting etc. At least for now! Any advice would be great for my second batch! Thanks guys, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 Welcome aboard Damien! Glad everything went well with your first batch; you're probably hooked on this hobby now. Unfortunately, to brew a "proper" lager you will need to use a lager yeast. And that means fermenting at low temperatures ie. 10-13 degrees. However, you can still make ales that have a lager feel to them (sort of). Perhaps a cream ale or a kolsch. Something with extra light malt, a clean, neutral yeast like US-05 and moderately hopped. Maybe throw in some rice malt. You could use the Heritage lager kit, a can of extra light liquid malt (pilsener malt), US-05 yeast and ferment it at 16-18 degrees if you can. If you do a search on the site you will find various ways people maintain lower temps eg. fridge with temp controller, tub of water and ice etc. If you do get yourself a fridge and controller then you can brew whatever you want all year round. Good luck with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy Waters Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 Welcome Damien [biggrin] Hairy seems to have covered it all (I seem to be saying that a lot lately). I use a brew fridge to keep my beer at whatever temp I want and it has truly changed my life [biggrin] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 Hairy seems to have covered it all (I seem to be saying that a lot lately). I have pretty much just plagiarised all your earlier posts [wink] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy Waters Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 [pinched] Humph! Here I was thinking I was agreeing with everything you said and I was just agreeing with myself. Well said Muddy [lol] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 Welcome Damien Yes I really recommend getting an old fridge and a temp controller. It will be the best thing you will ever do for your brewing. (well... apart from drinking it of course [innocent] ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyW Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 Welcome Damien Yes I really recommend getting an old fridge and a temp controller. It will be the best thing you will ever do for your brewing. (well... apart from drinking it of course [innocent] ) Wheeling my new/old fridge that was given to me into the shed on Monday, then a controller and away we go, cant wait to get my brews into a more controlled environment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freestyler Posted September 29, 2011 Author Share Posted September 29, 2011 Hey guys, thanks for all the replies. I didn't think I would really be able to get the lager going, thanks for confirming. I was also looking at the pilsener but that also needs a cooler temperature. I'll need to be on the lookout for a fridge, its the right thing to do to get the best results it seems. Summer is on its way and with the humidity here I doubt I'll be able to get that temp under 24-25 over the next few months. Thanks again for the help, I'll search the site for some more tips. In the meantime, any pearls of wisdom that took you a while to work out but revolutionised your brewing would be greatly appreciated [biggrin] . I just wish I had thought of this three months ago to be ready for the World Cup!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien E1 Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Hey guys, thanks for all the replies. I didn't think I would really be able to get the lager going, thanks for confirming. I was also looking at the pilsener but that also needs a cooler temperature. I'll need to be on the lookout for a fridge, its the right thing to do to get the best results it seems. Summer is on its way and with the humidity here I doubt I'll be able to get that temp under 24-25 over the next few months. Thanks again for the help, I'll search the site for some more tips. In the meantime, any pearls of wisdom that took you a while to work out but revolutionised your brewing would be greatly appreciated [biggrin] . I just wish I had thought of this three months ago to be ready for the World Cup!! I've heard putting your fermenter in a container with some cold water/ice is a good way to keep it cool in summer if you don't have a fridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Even place it in a water bath and drape a towel over the container and into the water (like a big candle wick) and have a fan blowing on it. Might be an option in your climate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freestyler Posted September 30, 2011 Author Share Posted September 30, 2011 Thanks guys, So I need to decide between smelly kids for a week or my lager on the go? Seems like a no-brainer to me! [biggrin] But I assume that there is no risk of the brew being compromised by the tap being submerged in the water for a few consecutive days? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy Waters Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Personally, I'd be concerned with potential contamination from having the tap submerged but I guess if there is nothing leaking out nothing will leak in. I'd sanitise it thoroughly before bottling [rightful] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 And I would just wash the kids with a hose out the back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasond4 Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Personally' date=' I'd be concerned with potential contamination from having the tap submerged but I guess if there is nothing leaking out nothing will leak in. I'd sanitise it thoroughly before bottling [rightful'] Yes it is a concern with the infection issue but as I said in an earlier post I have never had a problem with using this very successful way of keeping the temperature down(touch wood). I've been using this method for about 6-7 years, 4-5 months of the year,ale or lagers and I can say I have never had an issue with the tap. I do twist the tap upright and pour boiling water over it...about half a kettle full just to make sure all is good.[happy] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freestyler Posted October 1, 2011 Author Share Posted October 1, 2011 And I would just wash the kids with a hose out the back. Hmmm, seems too much work. Maybe a blind eye will cut it just this once. Or morning surfs every day this week! About the tap getting infected though, which was my main concern, how about something like taking cling wrap and taping it all around the tap with some masking tape or duct tape or something? Or will the glue dissolve and make it worse.... or am I just being overly paranoid? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoptimus Maximus Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 About the tap getting infected though' date=' which was my main concern, how about something like taking cling wrap and taping it all around the tap with some masking tape or duct tape or something? Or will the glue dissolve and make it worse.... or am I just being overly paranoid?[/quote'] Get a carboy mate and you will not have a tap to worry about if you are putting in a water bath. Heaps of stuff like that in Zuid-Afrika. Are you in the Cape Province? With the large wine industry down the Cape there are many into wine making and containers will be easy to find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freestyler Posted October 2, 2011 Author Share Posted October 2, 2011 Thanks Hoptimus, Yep, a carboy does seem to be an easier option to at least get going. Unfortunately I'm not down in the Cape although I will be down in Franschoek at the end of the year for a while. Might look around. Its pretty difficult to get supplies in Durban. Doesnt seem to be much of a market for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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