Lagering (cold conditioning)
Term from the Brauwerkstatt brewing glossary, category “Fermentation and yeast”.
Explanation
After fermentation the beer matures cold at 0–4 °C (32–39 °F) for a few weeks. It becomes clearer and smoother; especially important for lagers such as Helles or Pils.
Test your knowledge
What is a Zwickl?
- A beer with lemon
- A strong beer
- An unfiltered, naturally cloudy lager
Show answer
Correct: An unfiltered, naturally cloudy lager. The name comes from the sampling tap (Zwickel) on the lagering tank, which the brewmaster uses to draw samples.
Frequently asked questions
How long until the beer is ready?
Brew day about 5–7 hours, fermentation 1–2 weeks, bottle conditioning 2 weeks. Ales are ready after about 4 weeks, lagers like the Helles need 6–8 weeks including cold lagering.