BarefootFriar
Well-Known Member
I found a kit at my LHBS for a California Common. Since I happen to like Anchor Steam and Liberty ales, I decided to go for it. Besides, the only other choices I had were very light lagers and so forth.
I decided to do some reading before jumping in, and also I'm waiting on the FedEx man to bring me a couple small things I need before I can get started. So I read that California Common beers are actually lagers. Cool, because it's colder than a well digger's bottom right now, and I don't like to keep the house any warmer than I just absolutely must. Colder-fermenting yeasts are welcome this time of year. However, I checked the instruction sheet for the kit, and it says ferment at 68°-72°F. Is that right? Or should I lower it to around 62°-65°?
Follow up question: If I keep my thermostat on 60° all the time, and the house stays pretty well that temp, will I need to blanket the primary, or will the normal heat of fermentation keep it warm enough? Do I need to find a warmer spot to put it? If need be, I could put it in the guest bathroom with a small space heater. At least that way if it blew a bunch of Kräusen it would be in the tub and therefore easier to clean.
Thanks for the help.
I decided to do some reading before jumping in, and also I'm waiting on the FedEx man to bring me a couple small things I need before I can get started. So I read that California Common beers are actually lagers. Cool, because it's colder than a well digger's bottom right now, and I don't like to keep the house any warmer than I just absolutely must. Colder-fermenting yeasts are welcome this time of year. However, I checked the instruction sheet for the kit, and it says ferment at 68°-72°F. Is that right? Or should I lower it to around 62°-65°?
Follow up question: If I keep my thermostat on 60° all the time, and the house stays pretty well that temp, will I need to blanket the primary, or will the normal heat of fermentation keep it warm enough? Do I need to find a warmer spot to put it? If need be, I could put it in the guest bathroom with a small space heater. At least that way if it blew a bunch of Kräusen it would be in the tub and therefore easier to clean.
Thanks for the help.