Summer Brewing

[mawa]

Hello Brewers!

It's already spring and it's begining to get warm. Where I live (Monterrey, Mexico) we are already in the 80's and it will only get warmer/hotter until it hits the 90's-110's for the next 5 months.

I would say that where I place my beer for the fermentation It should get to 80-85 (maybe a little bit higher) degrees during the day and cooler during the evening and night when I turn on the AC

What options do I have for brewing during this time? I'm a new brewer with only 3 batches and I'm loving the Hobby! I really don't want to stop for half a year!

Thanks in advance for your help!
Mawa

 

[MA_Brewer]

Best option - Get a chest freezer or an 2nd fridge w/ an external temerature controller - that will keep the fermentation at the correct temperature.

Other options include using a carboy with a t-shirt in a water bath method, or using an insulated chamber with ice packs. I'm sure some others will chime in...

 

[TheJadedDog]

I'm investing in an Igloo Ice Cube cooler this summer. I'll be cutting an opening in the top for the airlock to fit through and then using a towel to seal up the opening somewhat. A few frozen water bottles ought to be able to keep the temp down in the mid-60s when my apartment is in the 90s. While I don't stop brewing in the summer, I definitely have to slow the pipeline down (luckily for me though summer temps only last 2 months here in New England.)

 

[Ol' Grog]

What I do is I have a pantry that is on the North side of the house, i.e., no direct sunlight. Witht the AC on, temps in there can stay around 70. Here in Oklahoma, AC is an absolute necessity.

 

[Yooper]

I'm investing in an Igloo Ice Cube cooler this summer. I'll be cutting an opening in the top for the airlock to fit through and then using a towel to seal up the opening somewhat. A few frozen water bottles ought to be able to keep the temp down in the mid-60s when my apartment is in the 90s. While I don't stop brewing in the summer, I definitely have to slow the pipeline down (luckily for me though summer temps only last 2 months here in New England.)

I did something similar- except I removed the top (so I can use it for a cooler again if I need to!) and made a styrofoam top. Three layers of wallboard-like foam, cut to fit and a hole in the middle for the airlock. It works great! I can take a picture if anyone's interested. The lid is basically hollow, so if you're cutting that, I recommend using that "foam" stuff to fill it up to the hole.

It's definitely a challenge to brew in the summer, but not impossible.

 

[cweston]

It's definitely a challenge to brew in the summer, but not impossible.

Especially if you live in a place where summer lasts about 6 weeks and 80 is considered a stifling hot day.

Seriously, having a basement is a huge help here. It's actually cooler in my basement in the summer than it is in spring or fall, because the AC runs so much.

 

[the_bird]

Even though my basement doesn't get THAT hot in the summer, I could tell a difference in the batches that were fermented in warmer weather (75-ish). A little hotter, a little harsher. Definately, the next improvement to the "brewhouse" is to be able to control fermentation temps much more closely.

 

[coyotlgw]

Mawa -

I am in Phoenix, AZ and have a similar temperature situation... got up to 100 degrees outside last week and my house stays around 80.

I got a wine chiller from the local Home Depot that is just the right size, then picked up a temperature control to hack it o 67-70 holding temp.

 

[mawa]

Thank for your help!

I think what I'm goint to try first is to get the Ice Cube Cooler, What size do you recommend?

Yoopler Chick, it would be a great help if you could post the image!

Thanks!
Mawa

 

[McKBrew]

If you want to be really cheap and you have a dark closet drop a thick cardboard box over the top of your fermenter and throw a couple of containers of ice in it. If you need even more cooling throw a thick blanket over the box. I was really suprised how just one container of ice kept my box within range for a half a day.

 

[uglygoat]

brew belgians... some of their fermentation temps get really high, according to the book brewing like a monk.

 

[BarleyWater]

I bought a sheet of extruded stryrene insulation from Lowe's for $9.95, cut it to size, hot glued the hell out of the seams, cut a hole for the airlock, used my probe thermometer and stuck it through the side of the box. A frozen two liter keeps my temps down in the low to mid 60's. When it gets a little low, take the two liter out, when it warms up a little, put in a fresh one. I am keeping a constant 62-65 air temp in the cooler.

I actually put 2 two liters in when I first made it, and was down to 59 in a couple hours.

The temp stays relatively stable once everything has cooled to the mid 60's, so one change of the two liter a day is all I need, and the temp in the room is around 76-80.

 

[Willsellout]

This thread makes me thankful that I live in Oregon. Max temps in the summer are 70 and winter is perfect lagering temps in my garage at around 30-50 degrees. My brewing never hits a lull


Dan

 

[Rhoobarb]

Monterrey, Mexico! I was there once many, many years ago, when I was a kid. Stayed at a Ramada Inn way up on a mountain, IIRC. Probably long gone by now. I have fond memories of my visit there.

Sombody here built a chiller out of wood and pink foam insulation. They used a fan from an old computer to circulate the air. IIRC, he changed out a plastic milk jug of ice every other day or so. I hosted the pics b/c he had no way of doing it at the time. I can't recall who it was, but here are the pics:

 

[Nexus555]

I just started brewing but I got lucky; My finance wanted a new refrigerator, so that left me with my old one. I just ordered a thermostat for $50, and it should be there when I get home! Therefore I shouldn't be running into any fermenting temperature problems from now on. I've had my air conditioner on 65 degrees for like 2 weeks!!! I live in Louisiana, so I know all about those hot days!!

 

[Yooper]

Thank for your help!

I think what I'm goint to try first is to get the Ice Cube Cooler, What size do you recommend?

Yoopler Chick, it would be a great help if you could post the image!

Thanks!
Mawa

I posted it in my gallery. If you need more info, just let me know. When I put water in it and some frozen water bottles, it stays cool a long time. I lagered in this past winter and I'm going to use it for ales this summer.

 

[mawa]

Now I've got several options to choose from! THANKS! I'll post again when i have some results!

(the pic's are very helpful!!!!)

Rhoobarb: yep, the ramada inn is gone....now they have a casino....well, not really a casino, just a pleace with lots of slots machines.....

 

[Rhoobarb]

...Rhoobarb: yep, the ramada inn is gone....now they have a casino....well, not really a casino, just a pleace with lots of slots machines.....

sort of...

So, you know of where I'm talking about! Cool! I figured it was history.

I also remember a public square - I'm guessing downtown - where there was lots of shopping. I remember I bought a big bullwhip there! I was 10 years old at the time; what's an 10-year-old doing with a bullwhip? I also remember a trip to Horseshoe Falls. That was a long time ago, so there is a lot I don't recall clearly.

 

[Ryanh1801]

I have my wheat beer sitting in my bath tub right now. It seems to be keeping the temp low enough to work. I think im gonna have to invest in a cooler.