Ale fermentation temps

[NoviceBrewer420]

First time home brewer here and was wondering how cold is to cold for ales to ferment optimally? I'm using my basement as the fermentation station and its about 58-60 degrees. Is that to cold?

 

[rburrelli]

Really depends upon the yeast you are using. They have temperature ranges that you need to stick too.

 

[NoviceBrewer420]

Really depends upon the yeast you are using. They have temperature ranges that you need to stick too.

Sa-05 is the strain the research I've done says 60-72. Just wanna make sure those few degrees aren't to crucial

 

[rburrelli]

The yeast will raise the temperature in the fermenter when pitched. So you should be in a good range with that yeast.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

I have a basement where winter/early spring ambient temperature is 58-60F. I brew small batches with US-05 at those temperatures and get good results.

Be aware that there is a group of people who mention peach flavors when brewing with US-05 in these temperature ranges. Others have brewed with US-05 at 55F and reported good results.

With larger batch sizes, the internal fermentation temperature is likely to be higher (maybe 5F, some online articles claim up to 10F). You may want to measure the internal temperature on a batch.

 

[NoviceBrewer420]

I have a basement where winter/early spring ambient temperature is 58-60F. I brew small batches with US-05 at those temperatures and get good results.

Be aware that there is a group of people who mention peach flavors when brewing with US-05 in these temperature ranges. Others have brewed with US-05 at 55F and reported good results.

With larger batch sizes, the internal fermentation temperature is likely to be higher (maybe 5F, some online articles claim up to 10F). You may want to measure the internal temperature on a batch.

 

[NoviceBrewer420]

Thank you for the info. I wouldn't mind some peach flavors I'm brewing a honey APA so I think that would be a nice addition to the overall flavor profile

 

[Steveruch]

You can use lager yeasts to brew ales. W34/70 works well up to ale temperatures. I recently brewed a pale mild with S-189 in the mid 50s that turned out good.

 

[ChaosB]

You could always try to insulate the fermentation vessel with a blanket or something. Get a cheap space heater from wallys world.

 

[NoviceBrewer420]

You could always try to insulate the fermentation vessel with a blanket or something. Get a cheap space heater from wallys world.

Fermentation seems to be going strong lots of activity. I think I'm gonna just let it do its thing

 

[Immocles]

If it does throw something flavors at that temp that you don’t enjoy, I’d suggest Nottingham in the future. I set and forget it at 60 regularly and it’s been really clean for me.

 

[ncbrewer]

It would be a good idea to check the temperature of the beer. A fermometer (stick-on LCD thermometer) is a quick and easy way to monitor temperature.

 

[JPDosey]

You may want to search out yeast strains that "operate" in your temperature range. Those temps are close to some Lager strains.
As mentioned, get a temp gauge to see your real temps. Cheers!

 

[NoviceBrewer420]

You may want to search out yeast strains that "operate" in your temperature range. Those temps are close to some Lager strains.
As mentioned, get a temp gauge to see your real temps. Cheers!

Thanks! SA-05 seems to do real well in those temps. One more week and it bottling time

 

[bleme]

I've also used US-05 at 58F and it chugged along nice and slow but I usually try to keep it 63-65F.
Nottingham really thrives at 58F though.

If you put your fermenter in a big tub of water it will act like a heat sink, suck out the heat created by fermentation, and reduce temperature swings.

 

[Alex4mula]

Heating is a lot easier and cheaper than cooling. Get an Inkbird and a heat mat and you can ferment at whatever temp you want. About $50 investment.