Need a beer to ferment @ 58ish

dyennie · 11-29-2011, 11:07 PM

I'm going out of town and want to brew something before leaving. But while I'm gone I'll have the heater set to maintain 58. What will ferment at that temp??

**H-ost** · 11-29-2011, 11:10 PM

That is around the temp I am at and got a lot of good answers here http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f163/choosing-winter-yeasts-281177/

I am going to start using the Scottish Ale 1728 yeast exclusively for a few brews and play around with it a bit.

**osagedr** · 11-29-2011, 11:12 PM

I have a special bitter going right now in my garage with an ambient temp of 58 (so ferm temp of mid-60s I guess). It's using S-04. Been going strong for two days and change. I'll bring it in the house once it slows down noticeably.

**passedpawn** · 11-29-2011, 11:16 PM

Ale
I just fermented an IPA (Bell's Two-Hearted clone) at 55. The IPA yeast was Wyeast 1272 American Ale II.

I suspect many / most ale yeasts will ferment at that temp, especially if you pitch a lot of healthy active yeast.

Hybrid
I've also got an altbier finishing at 55. The altbier had yeast straight from the brewery, but was probably the same as Wyeast Dusseldorf Altbier strain.

A steam beer is also a good choice.

Lager
Of course, all lager yeasts will ferment happily at that temp. If you're looking for a beer recommendation, an octoberfest is delicious this time of year (hint: they are good even if they haven't been lagered for 6 months). Maibocks are also good lagers. And a schwarzbier is a fun winter lager.

SwampassJ · 11-29-2011, 11:59 PM

Wyeast 1728 Scottish Ale yeast will work down to at least 48 degrees. (I have done it)

California Lager could also be another good choice along with Nottingham, Kolsch, Alt and I think some of the lager yeasts are more tolerant in the upper 50s but not sure.

**beergolf** · 11-30-2011, 02:52 AM

A lot of yeast list the lower end of their range at 59-60 degrees. You will be fine with them. If you want to just wrap the fermenter in a blanket and go away and the temp will be in the right range. I would rather ferment on the cool side as opposed to fermenting hot.

Ozzfest05 · 11-30-2011, 03:03 AM

I have a question. Do people actually have that cool a room temp . I'm in Canada and I could leave midwinter in -16c weather and return to a room temp of 62f on a low. Usually at 70f .

**JRems** · 11-30-2011, 03:16 AM

I have used both us-05 and s-04 at 58 and had great results. What's listed is ideal range, they will ferment lower it will take a little longer. I just looked at some fermentis catalogue I have and they list both 04 and 05 as 53.6 degrees as the lowest temp, 59 listed on the package is ideal temp.

frankstoneline · 11-30-2011, 05:48 AM

My house stays consistently in the mid to high 50's, 55-58*F all winter. We wear lots of sweaters.
I've found that I enjoy english strains when they are fermented in the middle to high 50's.

plumbob · 11-30-2011, 06:07 AM

A Steam/Common beer is a fine choice. Thats what I have going in my 60*F basement right now. Its on the bare concrete floor on an exterior wall so it is likely a little colder than that even.

I recommend something with Saaz in it if you go that direction, MHO of course