solaras, barrels, and temp control

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by SFACRKnight, Jun 13, 2014.

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  1. SFACRKnight

    SFACRKnight Grand Pooh-Bah (3,348) Jan 20, 2012 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    After reading about solaras and barrel aging I am planning to make the jump and pick up a barrel. I've got recipes lined out, and plan on doing primary fermentations outside of the barrel, and using the solara as a secondary that has been innoculated with brett.
    My problem is this, the low end of the fermentation range for the brett I want to use is 70, however my basement sits in the low 60's in the summer and can get into the mid 50's during the winter. It's great for cellaring beer, but not great for fermentation. My question is how do I get around this with a wooden barrel? My basement is my only option for barrel placement, so I am stuck battling temps. Will the wood act as an insulator? Or will the temp not be as critical as I will only be drawing beer off once every six months? Just some questions I have before dropping all my coin on a barrel.
     
    #1 SFACRKnight, Jun 13, 2014
  2. atpca

    atpca Pooh-Bah (1,652) Jun 10, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I would think a temp controller + standard electric blanket + insulator (cheap sleeping bag even???) would do you pretty well.
     
    #2 atpca, Jun 14, 2014
  3. CASK1

    CASK1 Pundit (951) Jan 7, 2010 Florida

    If you're doing primary fermentation outside the barrel, I would not worry about temp fluctuations in the barrel. You don't want really rapid changes, but any temp between 50 and 80 will be hospitable to the yeast, although their rate of activity will vary. RDWHAHB.
     
    #3 CASK1, Jun 14, 2014
    jbakajust1 likes this.
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