Is my beer wasted???

matthammill · Jun 22, 2014

Ok I made a 5 gallon batch last friday, went on vacation saturday and got back home today to find my ac went out and it was 90 degrees in the house. My wifes first though " o no a/c" my first thought " o no my beer!" Used rehydrated muntons yeast, what should I do when beer temp gets back down to temp? Will take hydrometer reading tommorow...any help greatly appreciated
Matt

frankjones · Jun 22, 2014

I really don't know. But I would bottle it and see if it's drinkable. It could be wasted tho. Some of the old time hard core brewers can say better. But remember... Beer was being brewed long before commercial cooling. May not be the best beer. Wish I knew more.

GilSwillBasementBrews · Jun 23, 2014

Most of your active fermentation occurs in the first few days so hopefully it was past that point or nearing completion before the temp got too hot. That being said it could have caused off flavors or esters with it getting too hot before it was completing active fermentation. That being said the only way to find out will be to sample some of it and see. I'd be willing to bet it turns out ok. Like posted before it may not be the best beer you made. But you made beer. I would definately ride it out and see. Try and get your temps down to normal ASAP and hope for the best.

Sent from somewhere to someone

matthammill · Jun 23, 2014

Took reading this morning. Og was 1.060 and reading this morning was was 1.020 and looks like fermentation is done....we will see how it turns out...

Hello · Jun 23, 2014

How long was it in the fermenter before you went on vacation?

k1ngl1ves · Jun 23, 2014

matthammill said:
Took reading this morning. Og was 1.060 and reading this morning was was 1.020 and looks like fermentation is done....we will see how it turns out...

Um... did you drink your sample? What did it taste like?

Hopefully the initial fermentation was complete before the a/c crapped out...

BigJoeBrew · Jun 23, 2014

I say stick with it. I usually brew in the lower 80's, just the ambient temperature in my house. So far everything I have brewed has turned out. I know this is not best practice, but got no space for a fermentation chamber and not enough money to bring A/C down that far.

theck · Jun 23, 2014

Wait and see... don't toss it yet. Take some samples, check gravity and go from there. I don't toss unless it's horrible and I've only done that once in the last few years.