Cold crash - what's too cold?

[newerbrewer]

I'm trying to make a lager-ish brew w/o actually lagering (no place to do it) so I used the steam lager yeast. Its now in the carboy secondary and I was going to put it outside where temperatures are 21 - 35 F these days. Will this fluctuation cause problems? Is 21 F too cold? I think the brew is only around 4% abv.

 

[david_42]

Your beer will freeze at 21F.

 

[newerbrewer]

Point taken, thanks. Will fluctuating the temperature between lower 30s (putting it outside during the day) and the mid 50s (taking it inside at night) cause off flavors with the beer?

 

[david_42]

Not likely. Wrap it in an old blanket when you bring it in.

 

[CottageGroveBrew]

If it were my beer I would wrap it in a new blanket. Still new at this, but I thought that temp flucuation produces more esters? I plan on trying a steam yeast on my next brew,