What is generally the minimum temp for ale fermentation

zacster · 02-07-2012, 08:49 PM

I have my lager in the house for a diacetyl rest and see that being the cheap guy that I am about the heat that the temp hovers around 65-66, and that's in the warm room. But that's also one of the stick on thermometers on my carboy so it probably isn't all that accurate.

My next batch will be an ale, and was just wondering if 65-66 will be OK, or will I have to make my wife and kids happy and turn up the heat. Actually if it were really cold out the heat would come on stronger, but our crazy winter here hasn't been cold enough for the lager.

Or just wait until spring...

**Yooper** · 02-07-2012, 08:50 PM

I ferment almost all of my ales at 62-64 degrees, so your room is warmer than mine!

wickman6 · 02-07-2012, 09:01 PM

I've gone as low as 58 with us-05 yeast and it was great!

Typically I ferment my ales at 65-66 and I'm always happy with the results.

BarlimanButterbur · 02-07-2012, 09:15 PM

A lot of people seem to ferment in the low 60s to high 50s and like the results they get. You'll be fine doing that, as people have already said.

However, sometimes I think that the general attitude on the forums is too opposed to ale-fruitiness. A lot of people are shooting for really clean ales, without much ester or fruitiness and that certainly has its place. That's why people like Nottingham and US-05.

Just keep in mind that ale fermentation can usually get away with being done at 'normal' room temperature, you might get more esters depending on the yeast, but then again, tons of ale styles should have esters.

**beergolf** · 02-07-2012, 09:59 PM

My basement runs about 58-60 this time of year. Perfect for fermenting most brews.

**GuldTuborg** · 02-07-2012, 10:04 PM

A lot of this depends upon which strain you're asking about. I have a basement that can get down lower than 55F during the winter, which is one of the reasons I started using 1728 (nevermind that I think it's an extraordinary yeast regardless); it does very well at these ambient temps. There are other strains that do well (2565 and 1007 in particular, but there are others). Remember that your wort can hit 5 degrees or more above ambient temps during fermentation, so your room temp should be below recommended fermentation temps anyway.

zacster · 02-08-2012, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Remember that your wort can hit 5 degrees or more above ambient temps during fermentation, so your room temp should be below recommended fermentation temps anyway.

My quoted temp was with fermentation going. No wonder my wife complains.

But anyways, it sounds like there are lots of options and I shouldn't worry about it, not that I'm worried about something I haven't done yet. I've made beers with lots of fruity esters in them, but I prefer clean tasting ones. That's why I do lagers when I can. Maybe my next purchase will be a dedicated fridge so I can control things better.