S-04 temperatures

[JordanThomas]

Hey all,

I went ahead and brewed about 7 gallons of the KingBrianI's Common Room ESB this Sunday. As the temperatures listed on the Fermentis website were up to 75, I figured in my basement in ambient conditions would be good. After some active fermentation began yesterday morning, I noticed the temp had risen to 74/75 on the liquid crystal thermometer. Cool, I thought.

Then I decided to read a little more through the recipe's thread only to find that he fermented around 65-68. Reading another thread, many suggested that the high 60's to low 70's produce odd flavors with this strain. So I panicked and had my girlfriend (I'm at work) add some cool water to the tub that I, luckily now, had placed the fermenter in. Now the temp is reading 70.

I guess my question is, should I be that worried? Has anyone had good results with 70-75 degree fermentation with this strain? Am I over thinking?

Thanks for any and all advice!

 

[TyTanium]

Not much you can do about it now. You probably won't have the cleanest ferment, but it probably won't be rocket fuel either. I think I did S-04 once ~70 and it was ok...not great, but still drinkable.

 

[RmikeVT]

Keep in mind the inner column of fermenting beer can often times be 5-10 degrees above both ambient and the walls of the fermentation vessel. I think you probably caught it in time. Your beer will probably turn out just fine, maybe not perfect, it might be a little strong with esters and phenols, but you probably avoided fussels which would be the rocket fuel taste. Just continue to taste it after fermentation. It might need a little more time than normal to mellow out. I think you will end up with drinkable beer.

The old call to the wife/girlfriend to avoided brewing disasters is always fun.

 

[JordanThomas]

Thanks guys. I'm going to throw more ice in when I get home for sure. I'll freeze a couple of 2 liters and pray that they can last through an 8 hour work way. Summer from hell (pun intended) here in Michigan.

Extremely odd though, that my brown ale using s-05 is amazing and fermented even higher.