Style Suggestion?
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:18 pm
by Prairie_Fire
I was wondering if people could suggest some styles I could brew right now. I have no way to control fermentation temperature. I am currently fermenting an Alt. I'm in Iowa with a cold basement that stays around 58*F. Thank you for the help.
Re: Style Suggestion?
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 10:09 am
by Bugeater
Sounds like time to play with brewing a California Common and other hybrid beers. Whatever you brew, be sure to use a good size starter. The extra yeast cells will definitely be needed to kick off fermentation at those temperatures. I'm currently fermenting a rye cream ale. Due to me not paying attention, the first 36 hours of fermentation were at 57° but fermentation had definitely taken off in less than 12 hours. I've since brought it back up to 68° and it is rolling along just fine.
Wayne
Re: Style Suggestion?
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 12:00 pm
by keelanfish
You can brew a really nice porter with California common yeast at those temps.
Re: Style Suggestion?
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 12:48 pm
by BDawg
+1 to both of those suggestions.
Also, you can do Irish & Scottish Ales low and they come out great.
Finally, any true lager recipe can be pseudo-lagered at those temps with the Cal Common yeast.
They won't be the same as the true lager, but they will still be very, very tasty.
HTH-
Re: Style Suggestion?
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 3:46 pm
by anday6
Pacman yeast from wyeast can ferment well at or around 60 for pseudo lager styles. I just did a dead Guy clone at 62 and it's tasting great. You will likely want to bring the fermentor upstairs for a rest after a week tho.
Re: Style Suggestion?
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 5:30 pm
by dmtaylor
58 F is perfect for Kolsch ale and should be good for just about any English ale including porter and stout.
Re: Style Suggestion?
Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2012 6:09 am
by captain carrot
The fermentation will generate a couple degrees of temperature. I'd say you could brew a hefewiezen. If you insulate your fermenter you could gain another degree or two.
Good Luck!
Re: Style Suggestion?
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 2:19 pm
by brewinhard
captain carrot wrote:The fermentation will generate a couple degrees of temperature. I'd say you could brew a hefewiezen. If you insulate your fermenter you could gain another degree or two.
Good Luck!
Good tip! Even just wrapping your fermenter in a light blanket/towel can help to insulate it enough to raise the temps a few degrees to bring you in the low 60's which almost any style could be brewed (dependent on yeast strain of course).