Lagers have always been synonymous with patience. A long, cold fermentation followed by an extended maturation ensures a clean and balanced beer.
However, this process presents major challenges : prolonged tank occupancy, high pitching rates, and significant costs. These constraints lead many breweries to favor ales, which ferment more quickly.
Yet, interest in lagers remains strong.
In the latest 2024 issue, the American magazine Craft Beer & Brewing ranked lagers as the second biggest craft trend of the year, just behind IPAs.
How can brewers meet this growing demand without compromising quality, efficiency, and profitability?
This is precisely the goal behind Lallemand Brewing’s Fast Lagering method. Developed in collaboration with several Australian and New Zealand breweries, it is revolutionizing lager fermentation.
Its objectives ?
Reduce production time
Lower pitching rates and costs
Ensure the clean and refreshing flavor characteristic of the LalBrew Diamond™ strain
1️⃣ Pitch the yeast at 17°C to allow for a short propagation phase. Maintain this temperature for about 24 hours, or until active fermentation begins.
2️⃣ Once fermentation is well underway, cool to 12°C. Maintain this temperature for 12 to 24 hours.
3️⃣ Let the temperature rise freely to 17°C for a diacetyl rest and to efficiently complete fermentation.
You can finish with a cold conditioning period of 2 to 3 weeks.
Bonus Tips from Lallemand Brewing:
✅ While using nutrients is always a good optimization, it is especially beneficial for lagers. The rapid propagation phase of the Fast Lager method puts extra demand on the LalBrew Diamond™ strain, so it is recommended to give it a small zinc boost at the end of the boil. Servomyces is ideal for this.
🚫 Finally, Lallemand Brewing advises against pressure fermentation with this method. The yeast needs to eliminate volatile sulfur compounds produced during vigorous fermentation.
What do brewers say about it ?
At first, I was skeptical. But I decided to try the Fast Lager method because I felt my lagers weren’t meeting my expectations.
The impact was huge, and we quickly adopted this approach for all our lagers. Our lagers are much cleaner, with a significant reduction in sulfur compounds, DMS, and grainy notes. The dry-hopped versions also benefit from a shorter maturation time (less than 2 weeks).
While this type of beer used to be our weak point, it’s finally starting to win medals thanks to this method.
Pawel Lewandowski, Head Brewer, Mount Brewing Company (New Zealand)
The Fast Lager method was introduced to a panel of Oceania breweries partnering with Lallemand Brewing.
Despite some initial skepticism, the promised benefits encouraged several brewers to test the method, and the results quickly dispelled their doubts.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Participants observed not only a reduction in production time and pitching rates but also an improvement in flavor compared to traditional lager fermentation profiles.
Many breweries that tested this method have now fully adopted it for all their lager production.
We tested this method to manage our capacity constraints and reduce energy consumption during summer. We can now produce lagers without impacting tank availability or requiring long, costly cold conditioning.
Our lagers are cleaner, brighter, with a sharper, faster-developing flavor profile. This method has now become our exclusive approach for lagers. We see no advantage in using a traditional, energy-intensive and time-consuming method.
Dan Hall, Head Brewer, Tallboy & Moose (Australia)
Benefits of the Fast Lager Method
Reduced fermentation time
Lower pitching rate and overall cost
Guaranteed clean and crispy characteristics of LalBrew Diamond™
Conclusion:
The Fast Lager method with LalBrew Diamond™ is a true revolution for brewing clean and refreshing lagers without tying up tanks in prolonged cold conditioning.
Lallemand’s motto: We Brew With You.
The development of this technique is a perfect example of practical application—direct collaboration in the field to solve real brewing challenges.
The goal?
To create practical solutions that bring real impact to breweries. Oceania has embraced the Fast Lager method—why not you? 🍺🔥
