Question on Lager yeast temperature?

[Rounder999]

I have a Pilsner kit I wish to brew, but I have a problem with temperature here in sunny Florida. My current method of cooling my fermenter is the wet tshirt and fan method and it works pretty good keeping my primary down around 68f. I am able to keep my glass secondary a bit lower around 64f. I don't have the resources to use a refrigerator right now. Can I expect any success with these temperature ranges using a Lager type yeast?

 

[menschmaschine]

Short answer... no. It will still be beer and may or may not taste good, but when lager yeasts are fermented warm, they produce compounds that result in off-flavors in the finished beer... esters, diacetyl, sulfurous compunds, fusel alcohols, etc. Your best bet would be to use a clean ale yeast or build a poorman's chiller for fermenting/lagering (search).

 

[Pivzavod]

I have a American Lager kit that I am saving to do until it gets colder here in NY. I do have a cooler that I use to lower the temperature but I still want the wait until its colder. What I plan to do is this - I will take my cooler to my balcony and leave it there overnight and wait for the water to be almost frozen. Then I will place my primary into the cooler and it will be much easier to maintain the temp that way.

 

[joe7dust]

I'm really new so I could be way off but everything I've read regarding temps says you want stability so I disregarded outdoors altogether since its warm in afternoons and even from evening to just before dawn it can drop another 10-20 degrees.

 

[BrewerAnth]

For temperature stability, I'd put the fermenter in a tub with water slightly higher than the level of the beer. I'd keep a frozen water jug or two in the water to keep the water temperature close to 32°F. Don't forget to change out the jugs as they thaw, usually once every day or two depending on ambient conditions. This can be done inside or out.