Lagering

[Illini17]

So I'm a dummy. I brewed a lager to ferment in my relatively new keezer. No problem to set the temp controls to 50 and be good to go. However, it's only in the 30s in my garage where the keezer is. Chemistry 101 tells me the keezer can't warm to 50 until, at very least, it's that warm outside. Duh. So my question is how cold will my beer still ferment if I put it out there? Am I oK at 38 degrees (or so)?

 

[whiskeyjack]

It depends on the yeast, look at the recommendations for that particular one. Typically they go from 48-55 or so. I would either bring the keezer inside or get a warming belt I forget the name of them lol

 

[Illini17]

Thanks much. It's Munich and look like I can go to 48. Argh! Dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb!

 

[danielz1]

Putting a work light or light bulb of some sort in there will help get the temperature up.

 

[Illini17]

Putting a work light or light bulb of some sort in there will help get the temperature up.

That worked like a charm, thanks! A nice, hot halogen work lamp in the keezer for a little while got the temp up enough to stabilize at 50 for the time being. I'll have to monitor it for the fermentation time, but at least I have a way to warm it up if things get too cold around here. Thankfully we're hitting a bit of a thaw in Chicago this weekend so that helps. Appreciate the responses, folks!

 

[JasontheBeaver]

Shield your beer from any UV light that bulb might be producing. You don't want light stuck beer.