Lagering, with or without an airlock ?

[ashbyp]

When lagering, should I use an airlock or leave the container sealed? I have been reading GW's Hombrewing book - my conclusions are:

- ferment at 12C (or whatever the yeast calls for, start a couple of degress below and allow to rise to the 12C)
- transfer to secondary and leave at primary fermentation temp for a few days, under airlock
- remove airlock and seal, lower temps to around 2C

This will allow the lager to carbonate somewhat before bottling.

Any views? I'm using a better bottle as secondary.

[Jim]

I would have thought that it won't carbonate significantly until it's sealed in its final container (i.e. the bottle).

I'm not sure what Graham intended, but maybe if he sees this thread he'll let us know.

[ashbyp]

Well, he recommends bottling only after conditioning in a cask, bottlig only after the beer as reached serving condition.

So i was wondering if lagering in a sealed better bottle would be an equivilent.

point taken regarding a better bottle not being a pressure container though.