Lager lag time?

[yinzer]

Aeration is key to a good ferment start as well? Did you add any oxygen? Next time try making a starter even with just a couple of the vials as it will help your yeast get rolling quicker.

Hey Brewinhard, No I didn't oxygenate. I dont have that equipment as of yet. The best I can do is shake really good and pour back and forth a few times before pitching. I know...blashphemy! lol The small starter is a good idea. I only have a 2500 mL flask. I don't brew that often to use the yeast cake, either.

I used to use a wine degasser. You stick it on the end of a drill and if you get it at the right spot, just below the surface it really makes a huge froth. It's a great intermediate step. Then again for not that much more you can get the pump/hepa filter/ stone set up.

[Stinkfist]

Aeration is key to a good ferment start as well? Did you add any oxygen? Next time try making a starter even with just a couple of the vials as it will help your yeast get rolling quicker.

Hey Brewinhard, No I didn't oxygenate. I dont have that equipment as of yet.

All I use is one of these....obviously not the best but hella cheap at $2.99 and seems to do a decent job I have not had much lag time..usually have activity after about 6-8 hours..

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/b ... rayer.html

[thatguy314]

Lager lag time is longer for a couple reasons too. Remember gas is more soluble in cold liquids (why it's better to force carbonate cold beer) so the visible signs of fermentation (bubbling etc.,) take longer to appear with the same degree of CO2 production occurring.

[ajdelange]

I just made my first lager. I pitched @ 45F with 6 vials of German Bock Lager yeast. It has been 48 hours and still no airlock movement. What is typical lager lag time? When should I worry? Is something wrong? Thanks.

You would hope to see an appreciable drop in pH at 8-12 hours with gas evolution evident shortly there after. One thing you can do to see if it about to start is get your eye down close to the level of the surface of the wort and shine a flashlight on the surface at a shallow angle. You may be able to see "sparkling" on the surface as tiny bubbles rise and break it. If you do then you know things are underway.

Next time make a starter. My LHBS guy just chuckles to himself when people by 5 or 6 yeast paks - but he takes their money.

[Fremont Brewer]

The airlock finally is bubbling! It took 3 and 1/2 days. I hope I don't get an infection from it taking so long.

Thanks everyone who gave me advise. Next time I do a lager, I'll do a starter and some better form of oxygenating.