European Lager as Steam Beer?

[Beeblebrox]

I get the whole argument about lager vs ale, and so far I have only brewed ales, due to lack of a second fridge.

With that in mind, and keen on trying something a little different, I was wondering how the Coopers European Lager kit would go as a steam beer?

I'm mad for dry hopping, so I'd be doing that, along with the recommended BE or whatever, but keen to see what others think of this idea.

I know that Steam Beer is the recipe of the month, but I don't have the $$$ to fork out that much, and was wondering how well I could go just doing the European Lager at say 18c?[innocent]

So far my low budget setup seems okay for keeping at this temp - give or take a couple of degrees, so surely I can get by with my tub of water with ice bottles to keep my FV cool? What do you other home brewers reckon?

[PhilboBaggins]

Hey Beebz.

 

I know people who have been making the Euro lager for years and always have it over 18. They seem happy with it, so I say give it a go.

[Beeblebrox]

Thanks Phil.

I had been thinking of the European Lager for a while, but wasn't sure if I was ready to brew a true lager. I guess with a few batches under my belt, and my cooling technique down pat it's probably time to take the next step, and a lager at 18c is probably a good way to go working towards making real lager.

 

Usually I have my FV sitting for about 2 weeks before bottling; I take it I may need to let it sit a while longer if brewing with lager yeast; or at 18c would 2 weeks be long enough?

I know I'd want to have it condition for at least three months, and I'm okay with that, as I currently have a 3 month lag time due to the quantity of beer bottles already done - I make sure I brew a batch before I finish consuming a batch, so I can always have my beer aging before I drink it - took me a few months to get there, but so much better to have aged than fresh beer.

 

I note that the instructions for brewing with the Euro Lager (page 7 of the instructions with the International series) says 13 - 21c is fine, and the lower the better, but do you reckon the yeast is okay, or should I bite the bullet and get a different yeast from my LHBS? I already have to get some hops to dry hop, so not sure which way to go. So far I've just gone with the yeast that comes with the Coopers cans, and haven't gone wrong yet, but curious about the impact of using a different yeast; perhaps something from the LHBS as well as the packet yeast to hedge my bets?

[Scottie]

.....I note that the instructions for brewing with the Euro Lager (page 7 of the instructions with the International series) says 13 - 21c is fine' date=' and the lower the better, but do you reckon the yeast is okay, or should I bite the bullet and get a different yeast from my LHBS? .....[/quote']

Hey Beebz

Why not go for a specialty yeast like Wyeast 2112 - California Lager.

 

[Otto Von Blotto]

If you want to use a yeast other than the kit yeast, just use the other yeast on its own without the kit yeast - this will give you a better idea of what flavours and stuff that particular yeast brings to the brew. [cool]

[Beeblebrox]

Thanks guys, all well worth considering, but I think I'm getting a bit ahead of myself.

I've still only been serious about brewing for less than a year, after some false starts a decade ago.

I will certainly look at using some other yeasts etc, but I think for now I'll just go with the recommended; the yeast with the pack, the BE2, and some dry hops.

This will be my first true lager, so I won't have a point of comparison if I go straight to using specialty yeasts.

I'm sure my low budget temp control will be fine, I'm home most of the time, so I can easily check and replenish my ice bottles as needed.

I obviously won't be making it a completely true to style lager, as I have no intention of fermenting at 14c or lower, but I think I can get away with it, and at least get a feel for it, and slowly but surely build up my skills and expertise, after all that's what it's all about.