Quote:
Originally Posted by BRBrewer
Recommends 26* sure i was on 26 - 27*.
Seems to be fine... Clearing up nicely even after 2 days there is a lot of sediment at the bottom.
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You must be using different ale yeast than I use- I always go by the yeast's suggested temperature. Aside from a few Belgian strains, I don't know of any that do well (with taste) above about 73 degrees F (23C).
Even if the instructions ask you to ferment warmer, generally the ale will taste better at a lower-middle range of the yeast strain's optimum temperature. I ferment most of my ales at 62-64 F (16-18C) or so. Sometimes those higher temperatures give you an explosive fermentation, and then some fruitiness (esters) and maybe even some fusel alcohols (those "hot" flavors that can cause headaches).
Since it's done, you may want to cool it as you suggested to help it clear. Depending on which yeast strain you used, you may want to reduce it slowly to allow it to clean up a bit (if there are any off flavors) or reduce it quickly to clear it up if it's already finished tasting. I would put it at ale temperatures (16-20 C) first, to allow it to clean up any diacetyl produced or if there is any banana flavor for a week or two, then reduce it to a temperature in the 4C-6C range until it's clear (maybe two days or so).