...I have a question. I will be brewing my first batch soon. I know that temperature directly affects the finished product. With that being said, does humidity directly affect the finished product as well? My only 2 options for storage are my garage, which bakes in the summer and freezes in the winter, or my basement, which is so humid that I have to run a dehumidifier all day and all night for 6 months out of the year. Can I get away with the basement storage?
No. Or actually, I suppose high/low humidity could change the risk of certain infections (due to environmental conditions for the bugs), but if you're following solid sanitation procedures, that shouldn't be a concern. ETA: I assumed you were talking about fermentation. But are you talking about storing bottled beer? If so, even less cause for concern.
High humidity will also negatively impact using a "Swamp cooler" (ice, fan, T-shirt, tub) to help cool your fermenting beer. Something wrong with the house? (If you are comfortable, your yeast might like it also : ))
Yes, bottled beer was what I was referring to. But, I guess also when storing the fermenter. I know that there are specific temperature ranges called for by the specific yeast. So I was hoping that as long as the temperature was right, the humidity wouldn't matter. But it really is a breeding ground for growth.
Lol. No house is fine in the spring and winter. But no AC in the summer really hurts. Not to mention zero free space to inconspicuously put a 5 gallon bucket that won't get touched by two young kids and 3 crazy dogs.
Yeah...but follow good sanitation procedures and it's not something I'd worry about. The environment inside the fermenter is very humid anyway.
