Brewers' help requested

[merithyn]

Two questions:

1) I started a 5-gallon batch of Vienna Lager last night. This morning, there are zero bubbles in the airlock. Can I just pitch another packet of yeast into the pail? Is there another option?

2) I have yet to make a decent batch of hard cider. It doesn't seem that hard (pitch yeast into room-temp cider, add airlock, rack in two weeks, bottle in four), and yet... it's hasn't gone that well for me so far. What am I missing?

[mongers]

You need to speak to the apples in a gentle West Country accent as you butcher them. 

[derspiess]

I don't know anything about cider, but for #1 I'd let it go another day.  Maybe give your fermenter a good shaking to "wake up" the yeast.

But I have to ask-- are you using actual lager yeast?  If so, do you have your fermenter in a refrigerator or somewhere else where the temperature is steadily in the 45-55F degree range?  Lager yeast needs colder temps to ferment.  If you're using ale yeast, it should ferment fine at room temperature.

[merithyn]

I don't know anything about cider, but for #1 I'd let it go another day.  Maybe give your fermenter a good shaking to "wake up" the yeast.

But I have to ask-- are you using actual lager yeast?  If so, do you have your fermenter in a refrigerator or somewhere else where the temperature is steadily in the 45-55F degree range?  Lager yeast needs colder temps to ferment.  If you're using ale yeast, it should ferment fine at room temperature.

Yeah, it's lager yeast, and it did say that it needs to be cold. I managed to get it down to 70F to pitch the yeast, and I think that's where it's still at. I don't have a dedicated fridge for it. I suppose I can set it outside for the next two weeks. It's in an air-tight, sealed pail, so I imagine it will be fine.

Or... I can peruse Craig's List for a small, apartment fridge.

[Caliga]

I've never brewed a lager but IIRC lager yeasts are a lot less vigorous than ale yeasts, so it makes sense that you might not see any activity yet.

Alos, what about your hard cider do you think makes it not decent?

[derspiess]

I was lucky the one time I did a lager (way back when I was in college) that my parents' garage that winter stayed right at 50F almost all the time.

I'd recommend trying to find a small fridge-- the outdoors method may not give you perfect results.

[merithyn]

I've never brewed a lager but IIRC lager yeasts are a lot less vigorous than ale yeasts, so it makes sense that you might not see any activity yet.

Alos, what about your hard cider do you think makes it not decent?

Dunno. It just tastes ... off. Watery, sour... off.

[merithyn]

I was lucky the one time I did a lager (way back when I was in college) that my parents' garage that winter stayed right at 50F almost all the time.

I'd recommend trying to find a small fridge-- the outdoors method may not give you perfect results.

Already on it.

http://chambana.craigslist.org/app/4140379421.html

[CountDeMoney]

Robin Yount and Paul Molitor were unavailable for this thread.

[mongers]

I've never brewed a lager but IIRC lager yeasts are a lot less vigorous than ale yeasts, so it makes sense that you might not see any activity yet.

Alos, what about your hard cider do you think makes it not decent?

Dunno. It just tastes ... off. Watery, sour... off.

I had some success using 'champagne yeast', is some what vigorous whilst fermenting.

Are you just using apple juice, if so is it only made from concentrates ? 

Last time I made it I put in a few mashed apples with pure apple juice. 

[Caliga]

Dunno. It just tastes ... off. Watery, sour... off.

Do you want it to taste like commercial hard cider?  I'm asking because I think most of that stuff is sweetened and/or has apple juice added post-brewing.

[Caliga]

I had some success using 'champagne yeast', is some what vigorous whilst fermenting.

Are you just using apple juice, if so is it only made from concentrates ? 

Last time I made it I put in a few mashed apples with pure apple juice.

I have made hard cider, and it was so long ago I only vaguely remember the process, but I think I used champagne yeast as well.  I know I've used Lalvin EC-1118 for something.

[The Brain]

I know I've used Lalvin EC-1118 for something.

Did you tow it to Earth orbit and mine it?

[Caliga]

 

Yes.

[The Brain]

Wow.