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Lagers Recipes
Lagers unlike ales are fermented much cooler than most ambient temperatures. The fermentation temperature is usually about 45F to 55F with others as high as 60F. There are a few different theories on the proper temperature at pitching your yeast (adding your yeast) when making a lager beer. The top 3 are:
1. Pitch yeast warm (about 65 to 75F) and let sit at this temperature until you see fermentation, then begin cooling the wort. The issues with this is Esters (fruity characters) are produced at this temperature and by the time you cool the fermentation temps into the proper ranges, you will have fermented a good deal of the sugars and the flavor will be effected. The reason people mainly recommend this theory to new lager brewers is, fermentation will begin quickly and great reduce the risk of bacteria and wild yeast from having a big effect on the beer. Usually this is more an issue of brewers under-pitching (not adding enough healthy yeast) and brewers not being used to the longer lag time (time it takes between adding yeast and fermentation beginning) when brewing lager beers.
2. Pitch yeast at warm temps, but immediately begin to slowly lower (about 1 deg F an hour) the wort temperature trying to get the wort temperature in the fermentation range when it does start to ferment. This is probably the most practical for most homebrewers as our heat exchange with regular tap water is usually going to get us to this pitching temperature naturally, allowing us to add our yeast right away to reduce contamination risks. It is recommended that a yeast starter be made to ensure that a proper amount of healthy yeast is used.
3. Pitch yeast once it is at fermentation range. Not too many homebrewers do this as it is difficult to achieve that temperature when using a heat exchanger after boiling. At this temperature there is usually a long lag time (1-3 days) even when a large yeast starter is made.

These fermentations usually only take about 14-21 days in the fermentor before bottling or kegging. For basic instructions for extract brewing click here.

Lagers - Cold Fermentation

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Pilsner- Extract
KIT285
(Makes 5 gallons) A crisp, golden pilsner with a light malt flavor that comes...
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Price: $30.95

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Munich Helles- Extract
KIT290
(Makes 5 gallons) A big blond German Lager. Soft body with low to medium...
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Price: $28.95

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Amber Lager- Extract
KIT295
Similar to a popular East Coast lager, this recipe features lots of...
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Price: $29.95

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Bock- Extract
KIT298
(Makes 5 gallons) An extremely malty, copper colored beer. A lager requiring...
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Price: $33.95

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Kit - Yoshitaka's "Blackened" Pilsner- Extract
KIT730
(Makes 5 gallons) Dr. Yoshitaka Funasaki got his start a little over three...
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Price: $37.95

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John Palmer's Klangfreudenfestbier Vienna Lager (Extract)
KIT764
We have been a fan of John Palmer ever since his book, "How to Brew" hit our...
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Price: $36.55

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Lagers - Cold Fermentation

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