Fermenting above temp.

[Panduh]

I'm brewing my first all grain IPA next week using wyeast American ale II. It says optimal temp 60-72. My basement has been around 74-78 due to hot ass NJ summer. I don't know if I should be worried or not. Any info would be great! If I have to I'll try the wet t-shirt and fan technique but I really don't want to haha. Thanks in advanced for any info!

 

[homebrewdad]

No need to be worried, per se... but you will get off flavors at that high of a temp (especially since your actively fermenting beer will hit 5-10 degrees higher than the ambient temp). 74-78 becomes 79-88... well above the optimum range for this yeast.

Definitely do the swamp cooler thing. Maybe some ice bottles in a tub of water to help hold down the temps.

 

[CidCitrus]

I do the swamp cooler in NJ. It's not ideal but it's better than nothing. I put the fermenter in a rope handled tub, fill it about halfway with water and swap out ice bottles. I don't do the t-shirt and fan and I've been able to keep my beers under 70 during the active fermentation with 2 or 3 frozen water bottles swapped out morning and evening

 

[squeekybobo]

That's what I'm doing too. However, it's gotten to 72 or so sometimes :-(