lager

[Ster]

Just received a beer kit from midwest.. wasn't expecting lager yeast. I really don't have a way to control fermenting temperature. I live in FLA, so the nights might get in to the 50s, but days in the 80s.

Should I ferment outside?
Or Inside... 78ish all day.
Or buy ale yeast ane make a "steam beer"?

 

[gcdowd]

If you cannot control the fermentation temps, then you should not use a lager yeast. Even ale yeasts require temps in the mid 60's. I would search for "swamp cooler". That can help you maintain lower ferm temps.

 

[billpaustin]

In Florida, a swamp cooler might not work. Those work best in low humidity.

You might consider burying part of it, the ground will be cooler than the air.

 

[amazinglarry]

It sounds like you are going to run into a host of issues trying to first cool the wort to lager temp and then maintain a consistent temp of 50ish. I would say go for a clean american ale yeast or a hybrid beer yeast like Kolsch.

 

[kevinlassen]

Put your primary in a plastic tote add water and ice to it. Change it out once or twice a day.

 

[brettg20]

Looks like you may have some Diacetyl to deal with. Do you have an extra tub by chance?

 

[reinstone]

Put your primary in a plastic tote add water and ice to it. Change it out once or twice a day.

Yep....without a fridge do this! Then go buy a fridge when you are hooked on the hobby. Or you could do as previously mentioned but get a yeast like pacman or even Nottingham that is good over a wide range....there is nothing worse than a warm lager ferment. I'd get the tub freeze some 2 liters and make a clean ale.

Cheers.

 

[brettg20]

Then go buy a fridge when you are hooked on the hobby.

Precisely the reason I have 5 chest freezers in my 1 bedroom apartment

 

[Ster]

Thanks.. I will go with Larry's suggestion and use some ale yeast.

 

[Upthewazzu]

Thanks.. I will go with Larry's suggestion and use some ale yeast.

What kit was it? If you bought a lager kit, then using an ale yeast isn't optimal.

 

[WoodlandBrew]

+1 to switching to an ale yeast. Even with a swamp cooler and ice the temperature swings will be to large if you try to maintain an average temperature if 55°F.

Use the swamp cooler with the ale yeast. Add 1 gallon block of ice twice a day. Any more ice than that and the temp swing will be drastic. If you use smaller blocks it's not going to move the temperature much.

http://woodlandbrew.blogspot.com/2012/09/swamp-cooler.html

The top three things that make good beer great are:
1. Sanitization
2. Fermentation temperature control
3. Well understood consistent repeatable processes.

(Note that massive or expensive brew equipment don't make the list; that's just fun)