Brewed the Heart of Darkness Schwarzbier recipe from the latest Zymurgy using White Labs 838 - Southern German Lager Yeast on Saturday. I was hoping the garage would stay at 50 degrees where I have the thermostat set, but its been around 52-53 degree. Just checked it 24 hours after pitching the yeast and it has a healthy krausen formed. The optimal fermentation range is 50-55. I do not have a way of measuring the temperature of the vessel itself, as this is my back up primary I'm using. With ale yeasts, I generally notice a temperature increase of about five degrees above the ambient temperature of the room. Can I expect the same with lagers, or with a slower ferment, would they generate less heat? I'm concerned I may be fermenting a tad high.
Edit: I used a 3 quart starter which spent the last 24 hours before pitching (after decanting most of the starter beer) in the garage at 53 degrees and I cooled the wort down to about 57 when I pitched.
Edit: I used a 3 quart starter which spent the last 24 hours before pitching (after decanting most of the starter beer) in the garage at 53 degrees and I cooled the wort down to about 57 when I pitched.
