Basement Temps in DC Area Good Enough for Lagering?

[smata67]

Anyone here in the mid-atlantic with a basement? My basement temps are currently 70 F and pretty steady, despite outdoor temperatures of up to 100 F. I'm wondering if I will be able to do lagers in the winter without a refrigerator. I think the temps are in the upper 50s, but I've never really paid attention.

 

[lumpher]

what you need to watch for is the tolerance of the yeast. some yeasts are good in the 50's, some better in the 40's

 

[JetSmooth]

Regardless, 70 degrees is not really a lagering temp.

You could definitely make a lager recipe, but it won't be a lager.

There are also what's called "psuedo-lagers" which are cleaner ale yeasts or hybrid yeasts that might work. Look into a "swamp cooler" to try to get a few degrees colder. Or, at least it will provide some thermal stability.

I'm in Northern Maryland and I know my temps vary from 69-75, which makes for some pretty off esters in my ales. But I dig 'em, so I haven't tried a swamp cooler yet. I will with my next batch, however.

 

[smata67]

I'm asking for an idea of typical basement temps in the winter, clearly not going to happen this time of year. Probably not going to like the answer, so I'll probably have to stick with my current plan of using my recently acquired avocado National Panasonic Made in Japan mini fridge circa 1972.

 

[JetSmooth]

*smacks head* Yeah. Missed that part. Haha.

Still, unless your winter basement gets in the 40 range, you're not likely to lager very well down there. The fridge sounds like a capitol idea!

 

[SumnerH]

Anyone here in the mid-atlantic with a basement? My basement temps are currently 70 F and pretty steady, despite outdoor temperatures of up to 100 F. I'm wondering if I will be able to do lagers in the winter without a refrigerator. I think the temps are in the upper 50s, but I've never really paid attention.

I live in the DC 'burbs (Alexandria) and mine got up to about 68F with the recent heat wave; I've never seen it higher than that or below 64F. Unless you have an uninsulated bulkhead or something, I doubt you'll see huge variances.

 

[skirunnr]

I was seeing temps down to the mid 50's this past winter.... when the wood stove wasn't running of course (not the primary heat source for the house). That's in a un-insulated, concrete block and floor portion of the basement.

 

[Brewdouche-RuBrew]

I live in south west PA. Basement temps are around 57f.

2 years experience.