Lager Starter
Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:49 pm
by SwampGas
When making a starter for a lager, what temp should be used?
The ~48°F fermentation zone or the usual 70-75°F?
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 3:22 am
by Ozbrewer
Go high
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 7:26 am
by bub
Go middle 65 ish
BUB
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 7:34 am
by baltobrewer
Agree with bub, middle temps, but chill to lagering temp (same as wort) before you pitch. You're not making beer, you're making yeast. but if you ferment your starter hot (70's), you can condition the yeast to form esters, which you don't want in most lagers.
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 9:26 am
by SunkenBier
Its important that if you do ferment the lager hot that you decant it. You just want to pitch the lager yeast not all that off flavored crap it produced at the warmer temps.
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 6:19 pm
by BDawg
Like they said, make your starter high, then cool it down to pitching temp,
which should be low (46F).
HTH-
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:55 am
by SwampGas
Excellent guys.
Got it.
Hold starter at ~65F. Chill. Decant. Warm to wort temp (<46F). Pitch.
Thanks!!
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 3:57 am
by Ozbrewer
dont be a pussy goto 70 deg