Gonna try a Kolsch

[mashani]

If temps don't rise, you may want to intervene with a heating pad, especially once the krausen falls. WLP029 might get stuck in the lower 60s. I use the Wyeast Kolsch if my temps are getting that low.

[FedoraDave]

I checked it today when I got home from work, and it was churning pretty well, so I'm not too worried.

[mashani]

It's after the krausen falls and the most active bit of fermentation is over that it becomes a problem. You'll be 90something% attenuated, but those last few points sometimes won't shave off if the temps don't stay warm enough.

[Kealia]

I agree. I would almost treat it like D-rest and raise the temp to 70 or so to help it finish off.

[FedoraDave]

Good advice. I'll take a gravity reading maybe the middle of next week and see where it stands. I can always bring it upstairs to raise the temperature; it's only 2.5 gallons, so it's not that heavy, and I should be able to carry it without sloshing it around too much.

[Kealia]

Hey Dave,

I was just looking at this page for inspiration for my next few beers and hadn't seen an update - inquiring minds want to know....is this lagering in the fermenter, bottles or a keg at this point?
We need updates man!!

[FedoraDave]

Woah, my bad!

It's been bottled, and it's sitting in my basement. I've tried a couple already, and I'm pleased with it, even as young as it is. Shows great promise, and I've vowed to hold back at least a sixer until spring. It's very tempting, though. Right now, it's cloudier than I'd like, but all the other aspects of it are pretty darn close to BJCP stylesheet, from what I can tell. It's got a kind of apple scent to it, and a nice pucker in the finish. Should be a good spring and summer beer.

[mashani]

I'd expect cloudy this young. It will clear up in the bottle over time. Kolsch yeast is just really powdery and doesn't flock out fast. You'd probably have to filter it or brite tank it to get it clear right away. All of mine end up crystal clear after a few months in the bottle.

[Kealia]

Yep, mine too. Of course, a Kolsch was the first beer I ever used gelatin on so it was crystal clear almost immediately.

In any case, glad to hear it worked out well for you. If I have time, I'll brew up another one soon to drink in the summer and have on hand for some friends that come over that don't care for the "stronger tasting" stuff.

[FedoraDave]

I'm trying to remember if I used Whirlfloc in this one. There was one recent batch where I simply forgot to add it, but I'm thinking it may have been the FD's American Ale.

But yeah, this early in the conditioning phase, I wouldn't expect great clarity anyway. I do like the results so far, though, and I can see Fedorus Magnus Kölsch becoming a summertime regular in the rotation.