Pseudo Lager at 65-70F: San Fransisco Lager or Cal Ale Yeast

[andy77]

I'm not one to do the Pseudo lager thing, but good (non brewing) friends gave me a pre-prohibition lager kit for Christmas, and wants to brew it with me. Due to busy schedules, we're brewing next week. The only problem: the fermentation fridge is occupied, so the only option is room temp fermentation in the mid-high 60s. I've got a vial of 810 San Fransisco Lager, and WLP001. Which would you choose for an ale temp pseudo lager?

[BDawg]

I'd do the Cal Ale at those temps. You will get a cleaner profile in the mid-high 60's than if you went with the SF Lager at those same temps. If you could have gotten it down into the 58F range, then I'd say go with the SF Lager.

Regardless, keep the temp as low as you can. You might even try the old wet t-shirt trick, even though it's not hot out. That'll still knock a few degrees off of ambient temp, and that'll help keep the esters low.

Good Luck!