Minimum and maximum conditioning temperatures

[Nic_P]

Hi All,
My Wherry ale is now sat in the keg
After the first couple of days at about 20c, what are the minimum/maximum temperatures for conditioning an ale? Is there an optimum that you all aim for?
I have a couple of options but do not want it to end up somewhere too cold.
: NP

 

[tubby_shaw]

The ideal is a cellar at 12 to 16C for an ale like Wherry :thumb:

 

[Nic_P]

Thanks T_S.
Any adverse effects if it dropped below 12c overnight? Although at this time of year I can't see it going below 9/10c.
I need to get one of those min/max thermometers and test the room.
NP

 

[tubby_shaw]

No real detrimental effect even if it drops to 5c for a little while. The major effect you are likely to see is that there will be slightly more CO2 in solution when using a keg :thumb:

 

[Nic_P]

:thumb:

 

[Aleman]

The cooler you keep it the longer it will keep (assuming you don't drink it) . . . you also need to reduce the CO2 pressure so that it does not over carbonate.

Of course if you don't like drinking ale warm then the limit is the temperature at which you prefer to drink your beer . . . Cask Marque specifies 13C, CAMRA 12C . . Personally I go for 10C but I also have a pilsner in the Kegereezer as well.

 

[Nic_P]

The cooler you keep it the longer it will keep (assuming you don't drink it)

:rofl: :rofl:
I'll be luck if it gets much past clearing!

you also need to reduce the CO2 pressure so that it does not over carbonate.

The keg that I have has a brass valve which you can use to introduce CO2, I take it this is also a pressure relief valve. I this sufficient or would I need to carefully open the cap to allow some CO2 to release?

: Nic

 

[Mephistopholes]

Just wondering exactly how everyone is conditioning?

i've noticed subtle unwanted flavours in my brews that i think would be eliminated with a good long coldish stable condition. only problem is i dont know how to acheive this in my current state.

i live in a pretty small flat. there is certainly no fridge space. no out buildings. though i dont like the idea of garaging my brew anyway as i imagine theres a lot of temparature fluctuation. and nowhere to store a kegerator. i dont even have enough room for more than one FV. and whats below is not a lovely cool cellar but a young couple who dont appreciate my guitar playing or singing. is anyone in a similar situation? are there fv buckets out there with coolers somehow built in or wrapped around. ideally i would like to bottle first and then condition as this gives me an empty FV to put more beer in.

Is a beer fridge the only way for me to safely condition?

i'm moving soon. hopefully out of london. number one priority for my new place- a cellar

 

[cwrw]

I've got similar problems with my beer storage as I've got a wooden shed (that gets very warm during mild days). I've been thinking of either stacking my beers and covering with insulating blankets etc, or getting an old filing cabinet(s) and insulating the outsides with bubble wrap or polystyrene ....in theory this should improve things and my beer should survive the summer...I hope. Is this relevent to you?
Cwrw :drink:

 

[Mephistopholes]

Yeah i'm not sure insulating will be enough though as i'm wanting to have them condition for around 4 weeks the effects of the insulation just won't last that long. i'm guessing a day or two max.
what i really need is a sustainably cold space large enough for my bottled beer to be placed. or something sustainably cold (for at least a month) that can be wrapped around my beer.
I don't think its possible without A-a new fridge or B- a nice big cool cellar.
Anyone know different feel free to shout out. :hmm:

 

[cwrw]

Got a bath in the flat ?.....primitive but might get the temps down with cool water soaks,re-crate and insulate ...that is if things are that desperate.
All the best,
Cwrw