Steam beer temperatures?

[dudasaj]

Has anyone made a steam beer they were satisfied with. If so, what were your fermentation temperatures and schedule? I'm considering a steam beer and was wondering what temps you targeted? What yeast strain did you use/recommend?

Thanks, AJ

 

[Yooper]

My California common is a house favorite. I like to ferment it at 60 degrees or so for a couple of weeks, then keep it in the high 40s for a couple of weeks.

I used San Francisco lager yeast for my CC.

 

[TrojanMan]

As you suggest, temperature control is entirely dependant upon the yeast you use and how it reacts.

I made a Common with the WYeast 2001 (Urquell) at appx. 65*F. May have ben up to 67-68 range at times.

I was very satisfied and it finished very quickly. Kegged within 3 weeks, drinking within 6.


On the other hand, I'm using Saflager S-23 for a batch right now. Kept that one in the 55*F range. It's 5 weeks in and still smells like feet. It seems to be done, so I'm crashing it now and hopefully it'll taste better once everything drops out.

But it's all time/temp/yeast dependant. No two different combinations are really the same.


It's a good style, but just remember to use a malty enough base and enough hops to give the fruitiness a counterpoint.

 

[Tonedef131]

60-65F is the ideal temp range for a Cal Common, but you have to use the right strain of yeast for that temp to work. If you are going above 65 you should use a cal ale, it won't be exactly the same but it's better than a lager strain would be at those temps. If you are going below 60 you should use a German lager strain. But obviously the best way is to use the Anchor/san fran lager strain at 60-65, that makes one hell of a nice beer.

 

[BADS197]

Before I was more relaxed I fermented a lot of batches with frozen jugs of water and kept temps at 60 and lower in a igloo 1/2 filled with water.

I did my Steam beer the same way... as cold as I could get it.

I think the majority of them fell in around 54 degrees if I kept up wiht the jugs morning and night.

I had good results on all my beers done that way. I'm lazy now however and am fermenting at warmer temps and will see how that goes.

 

[Brocster]

Has anyone made a steam beer they were satisfied with. If so, what were your fermentation temperatures and schedule? I'm considering a steam beer and was wondering what temps you targeted? What yeast strain did you use/recommend?

Thanks, AJ

I just tapped my first ever California Common this weekend, and I am very surprised at how it turned out. VERY smooth and a nice hint of sweet malt, but very subtle. Most definately a session beer with great character. It is enjoyed by the Bud Light crowd you don't like big beers, but the craft brew fans among us really like how complex it is in some ways. Reminds me of an American Brown Ale more than Anchor Steam.

Anyways...I pitched into 70 degree wort, started day 1 at 70, then moved to 60 - 62 degree temps for 4 weeks. I left on the primary the whole time. I used White Labs California Lager yeast.

I would, and I will, make this again very soon.

 

[velochris]

I have done several steam ales. I usaully use whitelabs american lager yeast or san fransisco yeast. my primary is in the 60-66 degree range. i'll do a longer secondary at 49-55 degrees.

 

[red82mtu]

I use California Lager Wyeast W2112, and pitch between 65 and 70 and keep it around 65 for a week or two in the spare shower until the krausen falls back in. Then I will throw it in the basement at 40-50 for a couple more weeks before kegging or bottling it off. I don't worry too much about temperature control.

My FIL loves my CC and he's a Michelob Ultra drinker. I also throw in some Rye malt with mine to give it something special.

 

[DeathBrewer]

I've fermented tons of steam beers between 58-65°F. Some went higher in the 65-70°F range...I prefer the lower temps or the spiciness can mess with the phenolics and it doesn't taste as good. Still decent, tho.

I generally use the WLP810 SF Lager yeast. The WYeast 2112 is similar, but not as spicy...it's much cleaner, especially at lower temps.