34/70 at ale temp... Results

[casualbrewer]

I borrowed some ideas from brulosophy and decided to put them to my own test. I have used saflager 34/70 a few times now with good success fermented cold... Around 48 degrees. However I read about his experience with 34/70 fermented warm and it intrigued me. I stole his Helles recipe and decided to brew it along with my first IPA attempt on same day. Since I only have one temp controlled ferm chamber I decided to set it at 65 degrees and ferment both at same temp. I pitched 2 packets into 65 degree wort and it went to town! Complete ferment in 5 days. I cold crashed for another week, kegged and fined with gelatin as usual. This resulted in a very delicious and clean beer. To be honest it tasted cleaner than those I fermented cooler with 34/70... Makes me wonder how tolerant other lager strains may be... I say for those of you who can't ferment in the traditional lager temps to try 34/70 fermented at cool ale temps. You may be surprised.

 

[Yalc]

That sound very interesting. I read the Brulosophy article also. I have a pack of 34/70 and a lot of pilsner malt. Guess what I'm gonna do?

 

[FVillatoro]

I borrowed some ideas from brulosophy and decided to put them to my own test. I have used saflager 34/70 a few times now with good success fermented cold... Around 48 degrees. However I read about his experience with 34/70 fermented warm and it intrigued me. I stole his Helles recipe and decided to brew it along with my first IPA attempt on same day. Since I only have one temp controlled ferm chamber I decided to set it at 65 degrees and ferment both at same temp. I pitched 2 packets into 65 degree wort and it went to town! Complete ferment in 5 days. I cold crashed for another week, kegged and fined with gelatin as usual. This resulted in a very delicious and clean beer. To be honest it tasted cleaner than those I fermented cooler with 34/70... Makes me wonder how tolerant other lager strains may be... I say for those of you who can't ferment in the traditional lager temps to try 34/70 fermented at cool ale temps. You may be surprised.

I love it when forumites share value first hand experiences such at this one! 34/70 has been on my mind, and while I do have the capability to ferment low, I'm not really eager to wait for the extended times that cold fermentation can take
Currently i'm fermenting Brulosophy's Munich Helles recipe but using WLP029 kolsch yeast at 61-63 degrees, but I may try them again later using 34/70 at low 60s to compare.

Thanks again

 

[domdom]

did you do a yeast starter? the low temp and need for giant 1 gallon starter's ive read about have deterred me from trying a lager. this give me some hope.

 

[casualbrewer]

did you do a yeast starter? the low temp and need for giant 1 gallon starter's ive read about have deterred me from trying a lager. this give me some hope.

I did not. I pitched 2 packets directly into wort. Took off quickly.