Noob questions

Ok, I have read everything I could get my hands on,twice. read the forum...lots.

Now is the time to brew...!! I have chosen a Brewers Best Oktoberfest (the last my LHBS had).

On the fermenting, how much oder does this impart into SWMBO's environment? I am concerned about having a cool enough place ( temps in the low 90's during the day). I have a ranch with a crawlspace...it might go there..

The kit came with a dry yeast--should I use a liquid or a smack pak for better results?

Thanks !
Brew Day is Sunday... :rockin:

 

Low 90's is definitely TOO HOT!

a bathtub full of cold water is a nice place to store your fermentor for a week or 2, and let's be honest, she's getting accustomed to the bathroom smelling bad anyway!

 

I was worried about my girl complaining about smell, with fermentation buckets in our shared closets.

I like the smell, but my girlfriend can't smell a thing. Thank goodness. Her poor sense of taste and smell always seemed peculiar to me, but now I really appreciate it.

 

Only time you'll really smell it is if fermentation is so vigorous it blows out the top of the fermenter.

otherwise its just a yeasty smell within a foot of the fermenter, and maybe some sulfur depending on the yeast strain.

 

I find brewing smells up the place way more than fermenting ever has. I can only wonder what the neighbors in the apartment complex think....

 

I would say, make a list of all the things that you would need and check it twice. I have found that preparation is 90% to successful and enjoyable brewing. Think about the location, sanitation and cooling process.

I find the odor very pleasing and fragnant.

I use dry yeast which I reconstitute in 1 cup warm water. Works fine. I think BobbyfromNJ has a video on the different types of yeasts used in fermentation. the main difference is the timing of the fermentation.

Primary: none
Secondary: Dark Cherry Ale
Bottle: Light Ale and Cream Ale
Planning: light Lager

 

+1 I just did this for 3 weeks. Granted the tub gets scum all over it but it kept it cool. You might have to add ice or switch the water every so often.

 

Stick with the dry yeast and make sure it is an ale yeast and not a lager yeast. You can re-hydrate it according to the directions on the package but I just sprinkle it in. Make sure you shake the crap out of your cooled wort to aerate it, then pitch, and all should go well.
A friend of mine still swears that kit is one of the best beers he has ever made.