Lager Conditioning

[jmiller]

I have my first Lager in process. Currently I am 24 hrs into 48 hrs of D-Rest. Tommorrow Night I plan on dropping the temp from ~60 back down to ~50 where it fermented. Then Wednesday rack to the secondary. My question is when I go to secondary should this be done at cooler temps say 35-40? If so after secondary when I rack it to a keg will I have to force carbonate or can I still use DME to carbonate?

Additionally would it make a difference to rack straight to a keg + DME, slowly drop the temp to ~35-40 and let it condition in the keg for 3-4 weeks, skipping the secondary stage entirely?

-Jim

[danno]

Originally posted by jmiller
Additionally would it make a difference to rack straight to a keg + DME, slowly drop the temp to ~35-40 and let it condition in the keg for 3-4 weeks, skipping the secondary stage entirely?

-Jim you're not skipping it, that's the very definition of a secondary/lagering, just that it's in a keg instead of a carboy. rack it when you're done with your diacetyl rest, then drop it as close to 32ºF as you can.

I'd just force carbonate it, but I'm that way...

[Grog]

I racked straight to kegs for my first lager per Mr. Danno's suggestion and I ended up with the best homebrew I've been a party to making.