Getting ready to brew... have 1 question and requesting opinions

[Cavallaro]

Hoping to start brewing for the first time as soon as I find time and get the last of my equipment.

My question is... how important is a consistent temperature in the fermentation process? I live in an apartment and I live in Denver (temperature fluctuates by the hour here..). Is this something I really need to try and stay on top of or can I just be mindful of it but don't need to worry too much?

Now I would also like an opinion.. what should I brew first!? I love just about all beer so it's not really a "well which ever you like to drink most" scenario. What do you recommend for first time brewers? what was the first beer you brewed? Is there a beer you wish you had brewed over another first?

Thanks!!

Cavallaro

 

[jdauria]

Temperature is very important as the yeast used for whatever beer you make has an range that it will ferment at, but you don't want it going up and down that much during the primary stage where the yeast is doing it's most work.

If you have a closet that is not on an outer wall, that is a good place to ferment as the temp will stay fairly consistent in there. You definitely want to do an ale, as ale yeast can ferment, in general, in the 65-72 range. I would suggest starting with a simple recipe, but something you enjoy, a pale ale, a porter etc.

My first beer when I started was a clone of Rogue's Dead Guy ale. It was extract with some grain. It was not bad, but definitely my beers are much better now that I have experience, use a yeast starter and manage (try to) my fermentation temps.

 

[johngaltsmotor]

The standard thinking is that brown ales are the most forgiving. If you make a brown ale to start you will like enjoy the result and not be frustrated at a poor result and give up.

As for the temperature, if your room temperature will change wildly it would be best to put the fermenter in another container of water. I put my full fermenters into my mop bucket and then fill it with water. The extra water helps to distribute the heat generated by the yeast into a larger volume of water (resulting in a smaller temperature rise) plus the heat transfer from the larger surface area is faster.

 

[blizzard]

Fermentation temperature is a key component of producing a tasty beer. It is commonly overlooked by beginners and often the first improvement people make. The better control you have over fermentation temps, the better your beer will be.

The cheapest/easiest way to control temps is to put your carboy/bucket in a large tub and add cold water and frozen water bottles. Exchange the frozen bottles as needed (usually daily in the summer) to keep your beer at the lower end of the yeast's recommended temperature range. You can also place a towel or t-shirt over the carboy/bucket to encourage evaporative cooling (much like sweating). There are lots of examples on here.

As for styles, those with stronger flavor profiles are more forgiving than lighter styles. It is easier to hide some off flavors in a big stout or porter or IPA. It is hard to hide flaws in a light lager or kolsch. My first brew was an amber and my second was a pale ale. Both are easy and enjoyable. You are going to get 2 cases from a 5 gallon batch, so pick something you will enjoy.