Fermentation temp and yeast question

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I'm brewing a double ipa with wyeast and the package says 65-72 degrees. I brewed last Friday and was fermenting on Saturday when I woke up (today is Wednesday btw). I'm sitting at 64 degrees (per the fermomentor). It seems to be fermenting just fine, still have a very active blow off, I've yet to check gravity. I've also got a HUGE head of krausen.

My question is about temperatures. I've heard of people raising temps after the first week or so. Should I be concerned that I'm not in the "ideal" range? Or should I just keep it as it is since I seem to be getting a good fermentation? I've read that temp control can turn good beer into great beer. Thoughts?


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[brew_ny]

I'm sitting at 64 degrees (per the fermomentor).

the center of the beer can be 5 degrees warmer

you're good to go I would say better to be a bit cold then way too hot

all the best

S_M

 

[BigFloyd]

you're good to go I would say better to be a bit cold then way too hot

Amen. 64*F is a pretty darn ideal temp for fermenting with many strains of ale yeast that one would use in an IPA.

If you can bump it up toward 68-70*F and maintain it there after the first 4-5 days, that will give the yeast a better chance at cleaning up their by-products.

 

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Right on. Thanks! I'll keep it at 64. I'll have to see if I can get it up around 68 after this weekend. I plan on leaving it in primary 2-3 weeks (depending on gravity). Then I'll dry hop in secondary with 2 oz of whole leaf cascade for 7-10 days. Sound good to y'all?


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[brew_ny]

you can dry hop right in the primary after fermentation is done, 3 to 5 days works well

I just dry hop in the keg when I rack it to keg

all the best

S_M

 

[BigFloyd]

you can dry hop right in the primary after fermentation is done, 3 to 5 days works well

I just dry hop in the keg when I rack it to keg

all the best

S_M

This^^^^^^^^^^. No need to secondary for dry hopping. I'd go 3-4 days with Cascade unless you like a strong grassy flavor.

 

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Cool. Thanks guys. No need for secondary? I've heard that before. Just want sure if it would help with clarity. And 3-5 days is all I need? Then I'm def gonna give it three weeks or so before dry hopping to let it clear up.


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[F_R_O_G]

This^^^^^^^^^^. No need to secondary for dry hopping. I'd go 3-4 days with Cascade unless you like a strong grassy flavor.

do you use whole hops or pellet hops?
never had any issues dry hopping with pellet hops

 

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The recipe I'm using came with whole leaf hops...do they tend to give more of a grassy flavor than pellet?


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[BigFloyd]

do you use whole hops or pellet hops?
never had any issues dry hopping with pellet hops

I've previously gotten a distinct grassy note with Cascade pellets dry hopped for 5 days. Haven't tried whole.

 

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I'm going to take a gravity reading tonight and if all's well, I'm going to cram some muslin bags filled with hops (and a few marbles, sanitized of course) into my primary for dry hopping. I figure by dry hopping in my primary, I'll have less risk of leaving some beer behind during transfer and also less risk of oxidation.


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