Good (fill in here depending where you are in the world) Everybody,
I searched and searched the forum and haven’t found anything on the original lager cellars, or caves, where beer was fermented. Has anyone been to one of these places, and if so how cold are they? I’m finally working toward my first lager after 6 years of ales, and I’m trying to imagine a cave that’s 35 degrees?
Thanks for all the helpful, and humorous tips on here!
Vince
I made a root cellar that I have used for lagering. It is a walled off section of my cellar that I insulated and used dryer vent to allow cold outside air to come in. I store onions, garlic, root vegetables, leeks, etc. with great success.
It doesn’t quite get down to 35 but it gets down to the low 40s December through February. I originally intended to set up a fan and thermostat system to have it more actively pull in cold air but it’s done it’s job with the passive system so I haven’t bothered.
Obviously this only works in some parts of the country.
I’ve been in several. Those are usually 3-4 C year-round, deep in the rock. Often there are trees that shade the ground above.
Remember that those are at northern Latitudes. Some are at more than 1500 ft. One I was in was at 3500 ft altitude.
Some are expansive with high ceilings, Pilner Urquel. Others are more modest. The smallest was in the Hillside in the Kellerwald in Forchheim, no Brewery attached to that one. I’m 5’8", and had to duck my head often.
This has interior shots at 1:00 in.
Thanks for the video! Now in the mood for Oktoberfest.
D.G. Yuengling in Pottsville, PA has lagering caves that were dug in the nineteenth century.
Here is a link to a video of the caves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjb_9Z4UlL4&feature=emb_logo