Best temperature for fermenting a Honeyweizen

[jdavisdpt22]

1st time brewer going to be brewing this weekend.I have been told to put in a room at or around 70 degrees. I have put a plastic cup of water in 2 spots and have found in the basement bathroom off the floor the water is at 65-67 degrees. In the garage it's at 70. Does this small difference make a difference with fermenting?

 

[ArkotRamathorn]

Yes, it will.

The yeast will produce quite a bit of heat while reproducing and fermenting. Quite often you can expect the beer during the most active periods to be 5+ degrees F higher than ambient temp.

I would in your situation use the basement bathroom. The initial 2-3 days the yeast will produce enough heat to maintain higher than 65F temps. As well your basement temps will be quite a bit more stable. If you can, check you garage temps at noon, between 3 and 4 PM, again at 6-7PM, then again midnight and 2AM. You will probably see swings in temp.

The overall temperature number at which you ferment isn't nearly as important as the *stability* of the temperature.

 

[Magnus314]

The 3 degrees between 67 and 70 are a big difference.

Even better would be a storage bin or bucket or something half full of water on the floor in the basement bathroom, and set your fermenter in there surrounded by water. A water bath will cool the wort better/faster than just the ambient air.

 

[jdavisdpt22]

The 3 degrees between 67 and 70 are a big difference.

Even better would be a storage bin or bucket or something half full of water on the floor in the basement bathroom, and set your fermenter in there surrounded by water. A water bath will cool the wort better/faster than just the ambient air.

Regular tap water? I will be using an Ale Pail, do I need to put a wet towel around it?

 

[jdavisdpt22]

Using regular tap water? Do I wrap the bucket with a wet towel?