So... its cold, but not too cold. Can i just set a carboy in my shed, and let the natural temperature lager it? or is the day night fluctuation too great? It doesnt freeze here a ton, but it does happen!
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I collect magnetic bottle openers... so if you see something nice......
I would put it in a tub, barrel or something with water in it in sufficient volume to maintain a more even temp. That way you wouldn't have the temp swings.
Better yet, get a watering trough and put a half a dozen carboys/kegs in there and lager them all at once. Invite me when they all finish.
BTW, you could throw a bit of ice in the water when you have a few warm days on hand.
__________________ Jerry Pritchett
KopyKat Brewery
Keep in mind, too, the initial fermentation is going to be greater than the ambient temperature by up to +10F. So, fermentation control won't be as reliable as lagering, but KopyKat's got the right idea - you need a buffer to keep the temp swings in check.
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~~ Malted barley wants to become beer. ~~
How are the temp swings detrimental to lagering? Just curious.
Can't imagine too detrimental, but if you're anal and want some control in order to replicate a procedure in the future, it'd be nice. When it comes to +/- 5F over a day or two, i would suspect most would RDWHAHB.
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~~ Malted barley wants to become beer. ~~
If we don't get a cold spell here in a few weeks I may need to empty my beer fridge to finish lagering it. I'm not sure if I can make enough ice to keep it down near freezing if the highs are still pushing 60F like yesterday.
Lagering in the cold?
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