How much of smell does fermenting beer give off?

[Klemay83]

Ok, so my first ever brew day is going to be next Thursday. The only place in the house I've found that has the perfect temperature for putting my FV is my clothes cupboard in the bedroom.... Now this won't be much of a problem depending on the amount of wiff my fermenting beer gives off. But as this is my first time I have no idea. I was thinking it might not give off too much as its in a sealed,practically air tight container. Am I wrong?

 

[ManseMasher]

Yes you may very well be wrong mate. The by product of fermentation is co2, and along with it a decidedly beery whiff. Believe me, you will struggle to get an air tight fv, and nor should you want one, something that gives off gas with no means of escaping is going to go badly wrong quite quickly. Beer however is more important than clothes. Chuck them on the floor, put your brew where it will be happy, and no stinky clothing. Win win in my book....

 

[Fil]

fermenting beer gives of a wonderful aroma, but probably not what you want your clothes smelling of.

the fermenting beer or its yeast population will generate some heat itself, so as long as you pitch(add the yeast) when the temp is fine. and them wrsp the bucket with an old sleeping bag it will probably keep itself warm while it works when sat somewhere a tad cooler than optimum,

as a rule of thumb aim for the lower end of the temp range suggested by the kit so if it suggests 18-22C aim for 18/19C :) while warmer temps can stimulate strong yeast activity the can also produce less than welcome flavours from easters and fussles

 

[Dutto]

Apart from the lovely aroma of brewing beer (which not everyone enjoys) there is also the chance that the brew will go mental and decide to leave the fermenting vessel and go visit the neighbourhood.

Check out the photograph on Page 5 of this Thread ...

http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=51855&page=5

If you use the airing cupboard I suggest that you keep a spare set of clothes under the bed! :thumb: :thumb:

 

[Klemay83]

Luckily there is not that much clothing in the cupboard so I'll just take it out. I also have a larger vessel to sit the FV in whist in the cupboard, just in case it does decide to go mental and come out to say hello. The temperature in the cupboard seems to fluctuate between 19-22.5 degrees. I've had a digital thermometer set up in there for a week and been recording the temperatures. I don't mind if it is a little warmer, as I'm using a wheat beer yeast. The "better cupboard to use" (according to SHMBO) which is downstairs is sitting too cold just now at 15-17.5 degrees. But hopefully in a few months when it's warmer I can use that one instead.

 

[Dutto]

Luckily there is not that much clothing in the cupboard so I'll just take it out. I also have a larger vessel to sit the FV in whist in the cupboard, just in case it does decide to go mental and come out to say hello. The temperature in the cupboard seems to fluctuate between 19-22.5 degrees. I've had a digital thermometer set up in there for a week and been recording the temperatures. I don't mind if it is a little warmer, as I'm using a wheat beer yeast. The "better cupboard to use" (according to SHMBO) which is downstairs is sitting too cold just now at 15-17.5 degrees. But hopefully in a few months when it's warmer I can use that one instead.

Ahhhh.... you didn't explain fully in your original Post that there was a SWMBO involved!

The 15-17.5 degrees sounds ideal.

A lot of yeasts will "stick" if the temperature gets too high, they generate their own heat anyway and what a great "Get Out Clause" if anything goes wrong with the brew!

My advice is to use the one recommended by SWMBO. It may take a few days longer to ferment but it's cast-iron when it comes to outcomes and brownie points; up to and including the need to get a fridge all to yourself!! :whistle: :whistle:

Enjoy, whichever route you take! :thumb: :thumb:

 

[Fil]

+1 15-17.5C sounds ideal ambient temps for an ale brew. fwiw i set a target circa 18-19c in my brewfridge for ale brewing. and as the yeast activity creates heat that should work out nicely..