High fermentation temp

[wwright]

I'm trying to ferment 5 gallons of wheat beer with a stuck on fermometer that says 74 degrees. Thus the actual liquid temp is 74. Im using Notthingham Ale yeast. Says it's optimally fermented below 70 degrees. Huge deal?

 

[Hello]

Yes. Those liquid crystal thermometers are fantastic but, you have to realize that the temperature that it is measuring them on the outside of the bucket. When you have active fermentation, the temperature is actually hot here in the center of the beer. So if you are reading 74 on the outside it is likely higher inside. It is possible you will get off flavors. I did hefe where it fermented at roughly 70°. The end result was a high citrus taste. It is very possible you will end up with off flavors but they may not ruin the beer. I would absolutely let it ride and see what happens.

You need to lower those temperatures. Google and research the swamp cooler. That will be a godsend.

 

[BigFloyd]

Thus the actual liquid temp is 74. Im using Notthingham Ale yeast. Says it's optimally fermented below 70 degrees. Huge deal?

I'm afraid so. The maximum, do-not-exceed beer temp I (and others) suggest during active fermentation with Nottingham is 68*F. Above 68 it starts to produce some funky off-flavors that get progressively worse the higher the temp goes. I don't believe that I'd want to drink beer fermented at 74*F with Nottingham.