rokfizix
Member
Hi Folks,
I recently decided I'd like to brew a Belgain Saison. What I didn't realize is that the recommended fermentation temperature (for a few days at least) is 85 F. This is clearly not the right time of year (temperatures outside are in the 30's) for me to be brewing with this yeast (WL565) but since the brew has be brewed and yeast already turned into a starter, I figured I might as well give it a go anyway. So here's what I have been doing. I put my fermenter in a clean trash can and filled it with warm water and then cover the whole thing with a thick blanket. My temperature cycle goes something like this:
1) Wake up in the morning measure temperature of the brew (it's around 65). Empty water from garbage can. Add 5 gallons of water at ~100 F. Slosh fermeter to stir up yeast. Add fermenter to garbage can with warm water. Slosh everything around for like 2 minutes until the temp of everything comes to equilibrium at 85. Cover garbage can with lid and blacket.
2) Come back in the evening and measure temperature (back at 65). Repeat these steps each morning and evening.
I'm sure I should have probably put together some kind of temperature controller. I was thinking I could do the same setup with an aquarium heater. But when it comes down to it - at the moment - I am just too cheap and er lazy. (although the aquarium heater would probably be a lot less effort.)
My question for you folks: is what I am doing bad? Am I likely to end up with bad tasting beer? Should I expect a stuck fermentation? Am I guilty of yeast abuse?
I recently decided I'd like to brew a Belgain Saison. What I didn't realize is that the recommended fermentation temperature (for a few days at least) is 85 F. This is clearly not the right time of year (temperatures outside are in the 30's) for me to be brewing with this yeast (WL565) but since the brew has be brewed and yeast already turned into a starter, I figured I might as well give it a go anyway. So here's what I have been doing. I put my fermenter in a clean trash can and filled it with warm water and then cover the whole thing with a thick blanket. My temperature cycle goes something like this:
1) Wake up in the morning measure temperature of the brew (it's around 65). Empty water from garbage can. Add 5 gallons of water at ~100 F. Slosh fermeter to stir up yeast. Add fermenter to garbage can with warm water. Slosh everything around for like 2 minutes until the temp of everything comes to equilibrium at 85. Cover garbage can with lid and blacket.
2) Come back in the evening and measure temperature (back at 65). Repeat these steps each morning and evening.
I'm sure I should have probably put together some kind of temperature controller. I was thinking I could do the same setup with an aquarium heater. But when it comes down to it - at the moment - I am just too cheap and er lazy. (although the aquarium heater would probably be a lot less effort.)
My question for you folks: is what I am doing bad? Am I likely to end up with bad tasting beer? Should I expect a stuck fermentation? Am I guilty of yeast abuse?