Hi Guys, started brewing today and would like a little help

[zakswfc]

Hi Guys,

Firstly i would like to say a hello to everyone as i have JUST registered.
I felt i needed a forum as i have just started brewing and today.

I am using a coopers lager beer kit from 'the home brew shop'
Seemed like the most straight forward for a beginner like myself.

I have been looking around for a bout a week so i am quite clued up in how to do it and how it works however there seems to be one thing that never gets explained, fermenting temperature.... everywhere says different!!!!!

I just wondered if anyone has any like a key or a guidline of something that may show how the temps may vary the brewing along with simply recommended brewing temperatures.

The kit i have states 21-27c
The site i got my kit says 16-21c
AND i have seen many more.

What i figured i would do was keep it at 24 for say 48hours then go for 21 for the remainder.

What does everyone think????

Many Thanks
Zak

 

[Scott]

Fermenting temp should be between 18 and 24 Celsius, the average temperature of a central heated home.

I think Lagers should be fermented at a lower temp for longer, but I may be making that up, I'm sure the more expianced brewers will confirm or deny this...

Happy brewing! :

 

[BrewDan]

As a general rule of thumb I try not to let mine go above 18 if it's beer or cider, you need to check what yeast you are using, as if its a genuine lager yeast it will need to be fermented at temperatures below that or it will produce off flavours.

If you have a look at the instructions with your kit, or go on the manufactures website it should tell you what yeast it uses, you can always google the code on the packet as this may show you what you have.

I'm sure you will get a much more in depth reply than mine, but as I said, I generally don't like to go above 18 for beer/cider/wine. For lager, I ferment in a temperature controlled fridge as it needs to be lower than that. Good luck, hope it helps in some way

 

[Stihler]

I'd following the instructions on the packaging.

If you were making a true lager the primary fermentation temperature would be about 45-55°F/7-13°C for about 3 weeks with an extended period of lagering in that secondary fermenter at 35-45°F/2-7°C for a few months.

I suspect your kit is using a clean fermenting (i.e. low ester producing) ale yeast rather than an actual lager yeast. Which is why I suggest following their instructions since we have no why of knowing the exact character and requirements of their yeast without more information.

Welcome to the wonderful world of homebrewing!

Good luck with your first beer!!

Please let us know how it turns out.

- Scott

 

[joe1002]

The yeast you have will be an ale yeast I suspect therefore you should ferment at around 18ºc-22ºc max. I wouldn't go any higher than that otherwise I believe you will run the risk of producing fusel alcohol which gives some a sore head and will provide off flavours :sick:

 

[wilsoa1111]

ditto its not so much about heating the homebrew in the house but keeping it consistent, bear in mind that the initial ferment is v exothermic (heat generating) so starting at a high temp tends to get way too hot way and stay there, if in doubt g0 for 18 as mentioned

 

[Sandimas]

Well, I'm going to go against the grain :twisted:

...this is the man's first brew and he wants a success, in my experience once a brew drops towards 18c in the house they tend to slow right down or stop, especially this time of year when there is little sunlight or external heat to keep the house temp up, so personally I'd aim for a bit higher. 20-21c seems to be the sweet spot for me. I've just had a Coopers Stout stop for 3 days when the temp in the house dipped down to 18c, it was only when we got the log burner going over Xmas and the temp went above 20c that it re-started.

 

[oldjiver]

Normal room temp is often recommended, but what is that? If you have gas central heating it will probably be warm in the day and cold at night. Or if, like me, you have electric economy seven then night time is the warmest. As has been mentioned consistency is the key. I use the spare bedroom as people arent in and out, and I put an old coat over the fermenting vessel to keep the temp consistent.

 

[rich27500]

Just brew it, keep everything clean and see how it goes. Temp control is important when you get into more advanced brewing but your first kit should just be stick to basics and enjoy in 8weeks time!

 

[jonnymorris]

Just brew it, keep everything clean and see how it goes.

+1 but aim for 18-20 if possible.

Best of luck.

 

[RobertP]

I can't get started until the new year festivities are over and i will start my own thread then.

Just wanted to say how these sort of threads help us that are starting out. I hadn't realised the process for making a kit lager used a different yeast to a 'true' lager. I'd been confused about the time scales discussed for lagers and the sort of thing it says on the tin!

 

[bobsbeer]

Most if not all 'lager' kits use an ale yeast as not many people will have the ability or equipment to ferment and lager at the low temp required. So kits go for the easy option and use an ale yeast. Never made lager so can't comment on the results. I always make ale/stout etc. But good luck with it. Lots of people make them so they can't be that bad. :wha:

 

[mmaguy41]

this was my first kit too, mine was around 20-22 most of the time and i really enjoyed it. good luck

 

[DamageCase]

We're all still telling him differently :lol: . Especially as it's your first brew I would stick to your kit instructions, not the ones online, as some kits use different yeast strains, some of which like different temperatures. This is unless your house is particularly chilly (like mine) and you don't own a brew belt in which case I start at about 22-23 degrees (a little on the warm side to most) and wrap it in an old duvet. With mine, after the initial drop, (before the fermentation starts) it stays at a constant 21-22 with the duvet around it and drops to around 20 degrees when the exothermic reaction of the fermentation starts to slow down. Anyway, good luck :thumb:

 

[zakswfc]

Thanks a lot for all of your replies!!!

Reading through, it seems that the preferred temperature lies between 18 and 22, so i will aim for this.
When I pitched the yeast it was 26 falling to 22 this morning and it has been that ever since.

I have a max/min temperature so i am going to monitor the temperature over the night to see if i maybe need to wrap a blanket around it at night times.

Thanks Again
Zak

 

[bobsbeer]

Don't get too hung up on the temperature especially the low side during the night. Over 25c is bad period. But the only bad thing to happen if it gets too low is the yeast hibernate. They come back to life when the temp goes up. So remember the second rule of Homebrew: DON'T WORRY. Have a beer and relax, it will be fine.