mini-fridge lager cave unplugged for over 24 hours!!

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by AngArbol, Oct 18, 2012.

Tags:
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. AngArbol

    AngArbol Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2009 Michigan

    Started fermentation about a month ago, started lagering about three weeks ago (at 33 degrees). Using White Labs 830 German Lager. Yesterday, in an early-morning haze, I accidentally unplugged the fridge that I do my lagering in. Actually, this may have happened on Monday night, so it may have been unplugged for almost 48 hours.

    Since then, the lows have been in the 50s, and the highs up to 866. The fridge is in my basement, though, where things might be a little cooler.

    Should I be worried? What's gonna happen to my beer?
     
    #1 AngArbol, Oct 18, 2012
  2. JrGtr

    JrGtr Pooh-Bah (1,775) Apr 13, 2006 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    I presume you plugged it back in when you noticed? Did you check the temps when you did? In any case, a decent fridge will hold temps OK if not opened. It would be very gradual raising of temp. I do not knoww how delicate lagers are in the conditioning phase.
     
    #2 JrGtr, Oct 18, 2012
  3. AngArbol

    AngArbol Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2009 Michigan

    I did replug it. I didn't check temps, but the outside of the glass carboy still felt cool.cold, and had condensation running down the side. It wasn't freezing cold, but more like a beer that's been in the fridge for about 5 hours. Cold enough to drink..
     
    #3 AngArbol, Oct 18, 2012
  4. utahbeerdude

    utahbeerdude Maven (1,374) May 2, 2006 Utah

    RDWHAHB.
     
    #4 utahbeerdude, Oct 18, 2012
    gtermi likes this.
  5. gtermi

    gtermi Initiate (0) Apr 21, 2010 Texas

    ^^^^THIS
     
    #5 gtermi, Oct 18, 2012
  6. Pegli

    Pegli Initiate (0) Aug 30, 2006 Rhode Island

    It's already lagered three weeks = you're fine.
     
    #6 Pegli, Oct 18, 2012
  7. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    I saw the two exclamation points and got here as soon as I could!! Oh. No worries.
     
    #7 VikeMan, Oct 18, 2012
    AngArbol, Wreckoncile, FeDUBBELFIST and 1 other person like this.
  8. Ruslanchik

    Ruslanchik Initiate (0) Feb 12, 2008 Texas

    Dude, if the high temps in my area had been up to 866 degrees the last thing I would be worried about is my beer.
     
    #8 Ruslanchik, Oct 18, 2012
    AngArbol likes this.
  9. herrburgess

    herrburgess Grand Pooh-Bah (3,077) Nov 4, 2009 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    Inadvertent -- but perhaps beneficial -- diacetyl rest? :wink:

    Your beer should be fine.
     
    #9 herrburgess, Oct 18, 2012
  10. goodonezach

    goodonezach Initiate (0) Mar 24, 2011 New York

    if nobody was opening and closing the fridge, the temp shouldn't have moved much if at all, right?
     
    #10 goodonezach, Oct 19, 2012
  11. AngArbol

    AngArbol Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2009 Michigan

    Already did a diacetyl rest. Nobody opened or closed the fridge. The beer stayed cold, but just not very cold, like I'd think you'd want with a lager. I guess the consensus is that I'm still good. Whew...
     
    #11 AngArbol, Oct 21, 2012
  12. AngArbol

    AngArbol Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2009 Michigan

    Heh, 866 degrees. Oops. I meant 86 degrees. Nice catch.
     
    #12 AngArbol, Oct 21, 2012
  13. tylermains

    tylermains Initiate (0) Apr 6, 2010 Kentucky

    I was about to say, "just call it Baltic"

    but you're conditioning, not fermenting.
     
    #13 tylermains, Oct 21, 2012
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.