Pseudo-Pils Extract Kit

[slothrop]

I'm trying to decide what to make for my second batch, my first batch is still in the primary so I'll need to buy another bucket.

Northern Brewer has something called "Victorious Primo Pseudo-Pils Extract Kit" which uses Kolsch II yeast and I was considering going to pick this up on my lunch break tomorrow. Full description here:

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/recipe-kits/extract-kits/extract-ale-kits/victorious-primo-extract-kit.html

They recommend fermenting at 65 degrees or below. Would it be a waste if I fermented at 68 degrees? That's what my basement is at right now.

 

[944play]

Fermenting beer will be several degrees warmer than ambient if the fermenter is in stagnant air. If you can put the fermenter in a water bath to damp temperature fluctuations and devise a way to scavenge the heat during active fermentation, the beer may experience a pretty constant temperature. As long as the temp is stable, the beer should attenuate fully and clean itself up more or less. It will be fruitier than if a lower temp had been maintained, but you can maybe compensate a little; if you limit growth by overpitching somewhat, less esters will be produced.

Do you have a fridge to cold-condition the beer? That's nearly essential for a lager-like ale.

 

[slothrop]

Thanks for the info, sounds like I should wait until I have a way to cold condition a beer like this. However, once I have a fridge for this purpose I won't need to make the pseudo-pils I can (attempt) to make the lager, correct?

Maybe I'll get a few more ales under my belt before I try something like this.

 

[944play]

Most refrigerators will not maintain lager ferment temp (~50ºF) so you would also need a Ranco, Johnson, or Love controller.