Who stops brewing during the summer?

I just read a post by Rhoobarb and he stated that he is going to brew his last batch before summer and won't brew again until it cools down.
Who else shuts down their brewery in the summer?
I don't skip a beat. I keep brewing all summer long. If I have to I will put the fermenter in ice water to keep the temps in control.
What does everyone else do?

RichBrewer said:

I just read a post by Rhoobarb and he stated that he is going to brew his last batch before summer and won't brew again until it cools down.
Who else shuts down their brewery in the summer?
I don't skip a beat. I keep brewing all summer long. If I have to I will put the fermenter in ice water to keep the temps in control.
What does everyone else do?

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i can barely get myself to take a weekend off....no chance in hell i'm taking the whole summer off....

Ditto!!

I just started, so I'm not going to stop now.

My apartment has a front stair well that is always much cooler than the house, even in warm weather. It's 'L' shaped and has a landing in the middle with plenty of room to store fermenters and bottled beer. I might need to put some kind of shelves to organize better.

I'll just stick with Ales and leave the Lagers for Winter.

i rotate a batch every other weekend and a bottling/racking every other weekend. i'm currently drinking the last of the winter stouts and brewing summer beers. i don't know where Rhoobarb lives but i start most if not all of my brewing at 6:00 in the morning. nice and cool and quiet then

At least one North Carolina friend of mine mentioned once that his brewing season was restricted to the colder months. But I figure, if you consider brewing a primary hobby of yourself, you will find ways to brew through the summer. No Offense Roobarb. I can easily see how much of a hassle it can be to keep the fermentation temps down during the summer. I don't even know if my fridge set-up is powerful enough to keep the temp below 50F in a 80F gargage.

I'm looking forward to moving back to New England, where I will have a basement

Kai

i used to, but now i got me a fridge...but between tennis, cobia slaying, school, boxing, and work i dont have much time...i plan on doing a couple of snail-lagers so i guess maybe 3-4 batches this summer is all ill get.

Just brew Belgians!

I wish I had a fridge to control temps but no way am I stopping for summer. Especially this summer. With the new rig and the new chiller, I'll be pumping out a s-load of beer. Especially in June. The wife will be gone the whole month. I plan on picking up about 10 more cornies and I'll be filling every one of them by month's end.

I'll figure out the temp control thang at some point.

Dude said:

I wish I had a fridge to control temps but no way am I stopping for summer. Especially this summer. With the new rig and the new chiller, I'll be pumping out a s-load of beer. Especially in June. The wife will be gone the whole month. I plan on picking up about 10 more cornies and I'll be filling every one of them by month's end.

I'll figure out the temp control thang at some point.

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Now that's what I'm talking about!

My wife keeps the house so d@mn cold I could lager in the summer. She keeps the thermostat at 65 in the summer and 85 in the winter. Jeeze!

I just started a little over a month ago...there's no way I can stop for the summer...not happening...it's too addictive. I was an hour late to work today because I was up until 2:30 last night brewing (needless to say, I got a much later start than anticipated, and brewing over a rather old gas stove in my apartment doesn't do much to expedite the process).

Since I was brewing in this up until not too long ago I can't see stopping for the summer.

i don't stop, we moved last fall, and i told the realtor, i don't care what else the house has, it has to have a basement/cellar. it stays nice and cool in there year round.

Central air and ale! No basement, I have a rancher on a concrete slab, but I don't stop. My HBS guy tells me, though, that things slack off big time in the summer. He stays open on Sundays in the winter but starting a week ago or so, he will close on Sundays until fall.

SteveM said:

Central air and ale! No basement, I have a rancher on a concrete slab, but I don't stop. My HBS guy tells me, though, that things slack off big time in the summer. He stays open on Sundays in the winter but starting a week ago or so, he will close on Sundays until fall.

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Part of why I asked is I was wondering how summer affects LHBS. It is tough for them anyway so bet summer is particularly tough. So in the interest of the health of our LHBS- BREW THIS SUMMER!

I know I always complain about the weather and how good you guys on the mainland and in the states have it regarding nice hot tempertures during the summer, but when it comes down to it I'm just glad to be where I am. My weather isn't extreme, and is pretty moderate all year long. Not overly cold winters, wet springs and falls and cool to warm summers.
I brew all year long and with temperture control do lagers all year long. I have to brew all year long as I drink all year long.

I only stop brewing lagers in the summer because it's tough to cool the wort down to 45 degrees. I still brew even when its 110 degrees out but it does suck standing over a 300,000BTU burner in the summer though....

In the summer, I've fermented the ales next to an A/C vent. I'm hoping to get a temperature- controlled cabinet done by June. Just got the hop stand finished today, that had to be done before the plants get too large (I hope).

JRGSPE73 said:

I just started a little over a month ago...there's no way I can stop for the summer...not happening...it's too addictive. I was an hour late to work today because I was up until 2:30 last night brewing (needless to say, I got a much later start than anticipated, and brewing over a rather old gas stove in my apartment doesn't do much to expedite the process).

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Sweet avatar!

The snausberries taste like snausberries.....

HurricaneFloyd said:

Sweet avatar!

The snausberries taste like snausberries.....

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"You boys like Mexico?!?!?!":rockin:

JRGSPE73 said:

brewing over a rather old gas stove in my apartment doesn't do much to expedite the process).

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I got a bigger canning pot at walmart so I can use two burners on my kitchen stove it really seems to boil alot faster now.

I have good air conditioning and wussy roommates that always run it. Its constantly a cool 65 degrees in my apartment so it shouldn't be a problem.

RichBrewer said:

I just read a post by Rhoobarb and he stated that he is going to brew his last batch before summer and won't brew again until it cools down. ...

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That post you read was an addendum to a recipe I posted about this time last year. Back then, I did extract and partial mashes in the kitchen, and it just got too hot to brew indoors. So, back then, I did suspend brewing until the early Fall.

But last summer I went all-grain! That forces you to brew outside or in the garage during the dead of Winter. So now, barring rainy weather, brew day in the Summer is a backyard event! I usually slather on the SPF, fire up the smoker, throw on a tasty dead animal to two and brew away! Makes for a full, but very satisfying day!

Rhoobarb said:

That post you read was an addendum to a recipe I posted about this time last year. Back then, I did extract and partial mashes in the kitchen, and it just got too hot to brew indoors. So, back then, I did suspend brewing until the early Fall.

But last summer I went all-grain! That forces you to brew outside or in the garage during the dead of Winter. So now, barring rainy weather, brew day in the Summer is a backyard event! I usually slather on the SPF, fire up the smoker, throw on a tasty dead animal to two and brew away! Makes for a full, but very satisfying day!

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Sorry about that. I should have read the post closer. I'm glad to hear that you can now brew year round. What you discribe sounds like a very fun day!

RichBrewer said:

Sorry about that. I should have read the post closer. I'm glad to hear that you can now brew year round. What you discribe sounds like a very fun day!

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No problem; easy mistake to make. Yeah, I'm really looking forward to getting back outside. I've been stuck in the garage. We're finally getting nice temps., but it's been raining nearly everyday - and more is forecasted for this weekend, so... back to the garage this Saturday.

Rhoobarb said:

No problem; easy mistake to make. Yeah, I'm really looking forward to getting back outside. I've been stuck in the garage. We're finally getting nice temps., but it's been raining nearly everyday - and more is forecasted for this weekend, so... back to the garage this Saturday.

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It's been raining up there? It's been absolutely PERFECT south of I-80...

In fact while I was cleaning the garage last night I was pondering places for a new cooker that SWMBO knows nothing of as yet...



Ize

When I first started reading the thread I thought "Isn't Rhoobarb from Plainfield, IL?" When I lived in Plainfield I brewed all year 'cause I had a basement for 70 degree fermenting all year. I have been using an out door cooker for about 11 years now which speeds things up. But when I moved to Hawaii I bought a temp controller to go on the old freezer for a nice constant 65 degrees. Now in Texas I have a 15 gallon SS pot for 10 gallon batchs. More beer, fewer brewing days. By the by Ize, Central Illinois is closer to 1-70. I'm originally from south of I-64.

beergod35 said:

When I first started reading the thread I thought "Isn't Rhoobarb from Plainfield, IL?" When I lived in Plainfield I brewed all year 'cause I had a basement for 70 degree fermenting all year. I have been using an out door cooker for about 11 years now which speeds things up. But when I moved to Hawaii I bought a temp controller to go on the old freezer for a nice constant 65 degrees. Now in Texas I have a 15 gallon SS pot for 10 gallon batchs. More beer, fewer brewing days. By the by Ize, Central Illinois is closer to 1-70. I'm originally from south of I-64.

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It's that old joke that to everyone in Chicago, everything South of I-80 is Southern Illinois.

You were way south of me then... I'm actually in Decatur, working in Springfield so I-72 cuts things in half in my neck of the woods...

I definitely have the basement, and IF I get that garage insulated like I plan to this summer, winter brew days won't be an issue.... (Note I said IF, a certain 2 year old may have other ideas for keeping me busy....)

All in all, I'd rather be in AZ or anywhere further south for that matter!


Ize

If I can brew in summer everyone can; you just got to get creative and start early! Cooling the wort is my biggest PITA

Ize said:

It's that old joke that to everyone in Chicago, everything South of I-80 is Southern Illinois.

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I live 1 mile north of I-80, but closer to the Quad Cities (Moline/Rock Island, IL/Davenport/Bettendorf, IA).

Yes, everything outside of Chicago is 'downstate' - including Beloit and Galena!

Yeah, it's been raining. Not steadily, but everyday rain is in the forecast and it clouds up as if a real downpour can happen at anytime. So, you're wary of moving outside for fear of getting rained on, hailed on or blown away by the wind!

We're getting our first 80 degree day today. When I left home it was 68oF in the house, but I turned on the AC, b/c, even though it's a newer house with lots of tight jambs and insulation, it has a southern exposure and it can go from the mid-60's in the morning to the mid 70's by late afternoon! And I've got a carboy full of a dortmunder lager sitting there in that environment waiting for me to bottle tonight!

I have no basement! My next house is a couple of years away and a basement is a must. And, it must be the biggest room in the house for my model trains, homebrew storage and a spare beer fridge!

Rhoobarb said:

a basement is a must. And, it must be the biggest room in the house for my model trains, homebrew storage and a spare beer fridge!

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YES!!!

Rhoobarb said:

I have no basement! My next house is a couple of years away and a basement is a must. And, it must be the biggest room in the house for my model trains, homebrew storage and a spare beer fridge!

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and where does that woman in your aviator stay???

Rhoobarb said:

Yes, everything outside of Chicago is 'downstate' - including Beloit and Galena!

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Um, I know I don't get down to the IL border much, but isn't Beloit in WI, and once you cross into IL you're in South Beloit??

I'm hanging up my brew kettle for awhile, not because of temps, but because I will be doing battle with water problems that keep rearing their ugly heads in my basement and won't have time to brew. Sux, too because the Marzen that I wanted to start a month ago is still not brewed yet and now there is no way it will be ready by Oct.

ablrbrau said:

Um, I know I don't get down to the IL border much, but isn't Beloit in WI, and once you cross into IL you're in South Beloit??

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Yes, that's correct. But ya get my point!

That's the one worry I have with a basement - water problems. I feel for you. It can be a costly pain; I had a relative go thru it a few years ago. Had their basement waterproofed by a reputable contractor and it fixed the problem, but at quite a price, IIRC. Good luck!

In Wisconsin almost everyone has a basement. It stays a good temp for brewing all year around in mine. If I ever go to all grain, though, I'm not sure whether I will be outside in January brewing. I may have to do it inside in two pots. SWMBO would love it, though, if I would start brewing outside as she detests the smell (I think it's the hops that she doesn't like). Maybe I can score a turkey fryer off her for my birthday!

desertBrew said:

If I can brew in summer everyone can; you just got to get creative and start early! Cooling the wort is my biggest PITA

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I understand that. I find that brewing at midnight gives me the best chance at chilling the wort. And it sure beats the heck out of standing over a boil pot at 120°F.

Wild

RichBrewer said:

and where does that woman in your aviator stay???

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Anywhere she wants to!

I will keep going but probably be doing night brrews up in the brewshed, just installed a exhaust fan using an old furnace blower that should help keep the hot Ga nights easier to cope with.