Fermentation Temp for First Brew

[jamorgan3777]

Gearing up (litterally) for first brew (in like 15 years). Back in the day I did not know to care about fermentation temperature. Now I am finding out that is very important. I am using WLP001 liquid yeast in a basic Light Ale recipe. Basement is holding steady at 70F. Should I worry about fermenting at this temp? Do I need to bust out the cooler and start freezing bottles? Should I just let it go a little longer after fermentation to try and clean up the residual diacetyls?

 

[kingmatt]

White Labs says that ideal fermenting temp for that strain is 68-73 so you should be fine. I prefer to ferment at lower temps however, as this leading to cleaner tasting beer IMO.

Edit: I see that you posted that your basement temp was 70 not your fermenting temp so you may want to try and cool it down some. Generally, fermenting temps inside your carboy are a few degrees higher than your ambient temp...

 

[jamorgan3777]

I was thinking that. I have read that 5 or even 10 degrees temp increase is not uncommon. I was hoping to avoid the ice bath, but it looks like it will be needed. My plan is to put the fermenter in a cooler filled mostly with water, then float a frozen 2 liter in there a couple times a day. Once the ground freezes the basement loses around 5 degrees so I should be fine then. However, by then I may have a freezer converted over for fermenting.