Impossible to brew good beer in a warm environment?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by RobertP, Nov 5, 2020.

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  1. RobertP

    RobertP Aspirant (225) May 21, 2015 Florida

    My late father in law used to brew beer - at least that's what he called it. The results tasted like sour bilgewater. Bleh... :nauseated_face: His fermenting jug was a 5 gal plastic water cooler bottle he kept in his un-airconditioned house in N. Florida where the temperature fluctuated all the time. Could be mid 70's one day, high 80's or higher the next.

    I have no idea what his sanitizing procedure was - at that time I hadn't looked into beer making myself at all but I'm guessing it was a moot point. From what I've been reading about temperature requirements it seems he was trying to defy reality under those circumstances. Yes? No?
     
    #1 RobertP, Nov 5, 2020
  2. VikeMan

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

    There are some yeast strains that can make good beer in the mid 70s and high 80s you mentioned. In particular, Saison and Kveik strains.
     
    #2 VikeMan, Nov 5, 2020
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  3. Minipork

    Minipork Zealot (628) Dec 11, 2010 Illinois
    Trader

     
    #3 Minipork, Nov 5, 2020
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  4. Minipork

    Minipork Zealot (628) Dec 11, 2010 Illinois
    Trader

    Piggie backing offnog VikeMan, Kvieks are great for IPA's and other ales. I've had a lot of success with Omega's Hothead, Hordinal and Voss at 90 degrees.
     
    #4 Minipork, Nov 5, 2020
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  5. HerbMeowing

    HerbMeowing Maven (1,295) Nov 10, 2010 Virginia
    Trader

    ... or put a 2.5G fermentor inside a 48 QT cooler. control fermentation temperature with a couple 22 oz plastic bottles of ice swapped out twice a day.

    Can't make good beer without clean and sanitized equipment ...
     
    #5 HerbMeowing, Nov 6, 2020
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  6. MrOH

    MrOH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,995) Jul 5, 2010 Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Even if using a yeast strain that works well at higher temperatures, placing the fermentor in a water bath will help a lot with controlling temperature swings, if that is a problem for you. Cool the wort 10*F or so below ambient, pitch yeast, and place in the cool water bath and allow to free rise. Works all the time 60% of the time.
     
    #6 MrOH, Nov 6, 2020
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  7. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    LOL! :grin:

    You have a future in being a political pollster.:wink:

    Cheers!
     
    #7 JackHorzempa, Nov 6, 2020
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  8. Jasonja1474

    Jasonja1474 Savant (1,100) Oct 15, 2018 Tennessee
    Trader

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    #8 Jasonja1474, Nov 8, 2020
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