Beer Forum

Hmph. At 4-weeks, both 5-gal batches of a 1.059 OG Oktoberfest have settled at 1.020. 66% apparent attenuation. Both pitches were on target and a little on the high side for the Mr Malty calculator and I oxygenated both worts for about a minute well prior to pitching then just after pitching. Both taste pretty good (but will improve I assume as they cold condition).

I know I could post all the mash details, etc., but wondered if anyone had experience with theses yeast strains/lagers and whether they trickle down those last 3-4 points over 4-6 weeks of lagering?

did you warm it up for Diacetyl rest...that usually helps lagers finish out..

Yup. It did 2+ weeks at 50F, about 4 days at 62F then slowly brought it back to 50F for a week and a half. Now sitting at 35F to lager, after I racked from primary fermenters.

My experiences with this strain (tried it 3 times) have not been positive. I got ADFs around 70% but it took over a month in each case. It would start out normally and then just come to a scrreeching halt, creepting the rest of the way. And the beer wasn't particularly good. I switched to the Wyeast strain and it's the difference between night and day.

Thnx AJ. Interestingly enough, I love the WLP833 flavor and am not crazy about the WLP820. Both have fermented 4-weeks and now sit at 35F lagering. The 833 seems really dry and clean despite the 1.018 (re-checked hydrometer and beers today) FG. The 833 is at 1.019 and is a LOT of esters.

We'll see how lagering goes and what is your preferred Wyeast strain?

Wyeast Oktoberfest (2633). I've been extremely pleased with the results and so have my family and guests to the point where I leave it for them so it doesn't run out. It's tough but I've found I can survive on Pils.

Thanks AJ...do you think I'll get anymore attenuation during lagering

OR do you think it might be worth trying to warm and throw a small active starter of 833 into the beers? Just curious. I still think it does not taste that sweet, but I do not trust my palate.

I always toughed it out and wound up with acceptable, if not great beer. It all got consumed, anyway. Why don't you try it out on some other people?