Fermentation Question - leaving for vacation

[RoosterJ]

hi all

I am brewing a batch of brown ale with us-05 yeast. Primary fermentation is complete and I planned on letting it sit in the fermenter til sometime next week when I can bottle.

My concern is that I will be leaving for vacation tomorrow and my apartments AC will be off so I do not know how hot it might get during the day. I do not have access to a temp controlled cooler to keep it in.

Will the beer be ok since primary fermentation is complete?

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

Most likely yes.
Beer is beer at this point. Your just storing beer warm. I guess it depends on how hot it will get. Its still sitting on a yeast cake.

I would ramp it up now for a couple days to around 72 if you can to completely finish it off just n case. That way it wont finish off at 85 or 90 if there is any to finish off in the first place. If not it is what is. Doesnt sound like theres anyway to change your setup

Or just leave it at a neighbors or friends house house where the house will be temp controlled....seems kind of extreme though

 

[IslandLizard]

A week or so of conditioning at somewhat higher temps (70-74F) is actually good for beer. Temps are not critical, find a place that stays coolest with the least amount of temp fluctuation, below say 75-80F.

Don't open it up, the headspace is rich in CO2 protecting your beer. Also make sure not to let in any air (oxygen), so top up the airlock. Do not use a secondary, leave it in the 'primary' vessel it is in now until ready to bottle.

 

[RoosterJ]

Ok thanks guys. I don’t think it’ll get higher than 74-76 degrees in here. I don’t think I’ll worry about it.

Thanks for the help!

 

[IslandLizard]

Ok thanks guys. I don’t think it’ll get higher than 74-76 degrees in here. I don’t think I’ll worry about it.

Thanks for the help!

That's close to perfect! You can stick the fermenter in a tub with water to keep temps a bit more steady and perhaps a few degrees cooler due to some evap.

Enjoy your vacation!
RDWHAHB!