Which temp would you choose?

[VanHolton]

I brewed a brown ale this weekend and I'm wondering what would be best for fermentation. I'm using US-05 and active fermentation has already begun. I can keep it where ambient temps hold steady at 52F or I can keep it where it will fluctuate from 66 to 60 depending on whether it's day or night. What do you think is best?
Thanks!

 

[ksbrain]

I like a steady temperature but I think that 52 might be too low. I never took it that low. So I guess if these are your only two options, the 60-66 would be preferred.

You should really start planning on getting a fermentation temperature control setup. It costs some money, but you'd never have to ask this question again.

 

[Yankeehillbrewer]

52 is pretty cold for S-05, but it should still work. Do you have any kind of big plastic tub or bucket that you could fill with water and stick your fermenter in it? If you do, I would put it in the area that is 60-66 and it will minimize the temperature fluctuation. That's what I'm doing now and it is staying at a steady 65*.

 

[lyacovett]

I actually like the 52 for a brown ale. You should end up with a little bit lower attenuation, and some fruity (peach) esters from s05 that low. Both of which should be OK in a brown ale.

 

[VanHolton]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm actually adding honey in a day or two so I don't want the yeast to be too pooped out for that. I think I'll try to put the fermenter in some water. Not sure what my wife will think of that sitting on the kitchen table though... Gotta get some better ferm control in the basement!

 

[winvarin]

52 is pretty cold for S-05, but it should still work. Do you have any kind of big plastic tub or bucket that you could fill with water and stick your fermenter in it? If you do, I would put it in the area that is 60-66 and it will minimize the temperature fluctuation. That's what I'm doing now and it is staying at a steady 65*.

+1. This was my setup before I invested in a fridge. The large volume of insulating water really helps

 

[coypoo]

You could wrap it in some blankets in the basement, the heat from fermentation should heat it up compared to the ambient temp. You could also add a heating pad in there too to raise the temp more if needed.

 

[Clifton]

Fermentis recommends a range of 59-75 degrees F for that strain. I'm fermenting my brown ale at 68. It can probably still go at 52 but will be slow. I think the higher temp range is the better option.

 

[El_Exorcisto]

You can put your fermenter in a tub full of water and drop in an aquarium heater. Shazam, stable temp control from 68-90, at least with my heater...

 

[2bluewagons]

You can put your fermenter in a tub full of water and drop in an aquarium heater. Shazam, stable temp control from 68-90, at least with my heater...

+1, this is what I do and it works great, you get insulation from temp swings as well as being able to set your temp wherever you want it.

Most heaters have a range of 68-90, but if you get one of the nicer ones (look of Clist for aquarium supplies) some of them have a separate thermocouple that monitors the water temp and controls the heater based on that. If you are even a bit familiar with electronics you can swap out some resistors somewhere in the TC circuit and change the temp the control unit is perceiving, thus changing your temp range. I did this and now have a heater that goes from 56 to 75 which is great for all ales. Good luck!

 

[wilserbrewer]

Rather than dwell on the ambient temps, try monitoring the actual wort temps during fermentation. They may be a bit above what your ambient temps are. Actual wort temps will also vary depending on floor level vs having the wort up on a table.