Temperature for first fermentation

[moco]

What is the best temperature for ale fermentation for flavour without the risk of stopping the fermentation? My last brew in the house was steady about 23 c, which I wonder if a little high. The FV in my garage seems to be steady at 19-20c (insulated, no heat), but is there a risk of a particularly cold night dropping it too low and stalling it? At what temperature is this a risk? Could one then just raise the temp to continue?

Thanks...

[steve_flack]

19-20 is a reasonable temperature. The temperature at which ale yeasts shut down varies with the yeast strain but 15C is probably as low as I'd like to go.

It's worth bearing in mind that the temperature in the vessel can be somewhat higher than ambient as fermentation generates it's own heat.

[moco]

Thanks - I think I am safe from 15 d. I am using Safale 04...

I am using an aquarium thermometer, so am taking the temp from inside the FV.

[bitter_dave]

Fermentation creates heat itself, so the beer will be a few degrees higher than than the ambient temp. 19 - 20 C room temp is therefore much better than 23 C. I try and keep room temp at or below 20 C, and that is probably a touch too high, although the resulting beer seems good. I would ferment in the garage if I were you. If you insulate your fermenter over-night with an old duvet this should prevent the wort losing too much heat.

Btw: confession time: I brewed a beer last night - I would have let you know but I decided to brew 10 mins before I put the water on I've not forgotten my offer of letting you watch/help with a brew

Edit - steve got in there first.

[zehnernet]

...My last brew in the house was steady about 23 c, which I wonder if a little high. Thanks...

Hi moco!

My (first) beer is on the way and I have room temperature of 20°C. My thermometer (like the one u have) startet with 21.x°C and is now, about 18 hours later, at 23.7°C INSIDE the FV.
I hope it's not to high, but the fermenting is very well (according to the bubbles ).
What was your highest temperature INSIDE the FV?

BTW: Both of your first (zehners 1967 and the IPA) were very yummy!!!

Thanks

[steve_flack]

I've brewed beers at 25-26 and got away with it....I wouldn't recommend it as standard practice though. Unless you're brewing with the Dupont Saison yeast which apparently won't finish properly below 30C! I have that on back order with H&G in the event we have a heat wave (unlikely I know )

[moco]

Stefan,

I get 2 or 3 degrees higher in the FV than ambient temperature, which is unfortunately getting higher here than recently.

Hope your first brew went smoothly!

[zehnernet]

I get 2 or 3 degrees higher in the FV than ambient temperature, which is unfortunately getting higher here than recently.

I am not afraid anymore. The temperature is going down to 21.3°C overnight (outsite we have 11°C this morning - brrr). The room temperature is going down to 18°C. So I think, I am save .

And I am very exited to take another gravity value tonight. I started with 1034. What do you (or anybode else) think is better. Put the hydrometer in the VF or tap a little bit to test? I haven't got a test-tube now.

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to my first beer.

Something funny: In Germanyyou have to declear to customs, that u are brewing beer. It'sfree for 200 litres per year. If u make more u have to pay beer-tax. And it's not important that u are a hobby-brewer. And: U are only allowed to brew according German purity law . Do u have something like that in GB?

Thanks

[MickyD]

As far as I understand it here in the UK, you can brew as much wine, beer or cider as you like, but its illegal to distill alcohol privately.

I am sure one of the more knowledgeable types here will put me right if that info is wrong.

[anomalous_result]

And: U are only allowed to brew according German purity law

Although thanks to the EU any beer marketed as such in the UK (or any other member state) is free to be sold as beer in any other member state. Something to do with 'harmonisation'.

[zehnernet]

Although thanks to the EU any beer marketed as such in the UK (or any other member state) is free to be sold as beer in any other member state. Something to do with 'harmonisation'.

anomalous_result, It's not forbidden to sale those beers, but to brew them in Germany.

Anyway, its my first kit and I started with a gravity of 1034. Now (2 days), I have 1012. So it is doing quit well, I think. Is there a fix endpoint to keg, or can I wait until I've got my hose and the filter?

Thanks in advance,

[moco]

Z-net,

1034 is lower than I got with the Coopers IPA and 1Kg Spray Malt to 23 litres. Is that what you made up?

I recently managed to take two hydro readings incorrectly mislead by how the number we printed.

What's the filter you mention?

[zehnernet]

1034 is lower than I got with the Coopers IPA and 1Kg Spray Malt to 23 litres. Is that what you made up?What's the filter you mention?

Hi moco,
Maybe I put to much Water in (15+tin+5)? Anyway, the first gravity was 1034. Why? I dunno.
I mean this little plastic thing what u can plug to the hose for kegging (we 've seen it in the shop, remember?).

I've had a first zip today from the bit I had tabbed to read the second gravity: yummy!

*Hicks*,

[Vossy1]

Herewith I announce that no one is allowed to pee into the beck - brewing tomorrow!

Glad to hear the brews going well Stefan

15 + tin + 5 sounds great. A silly question, but did you add the spray malt ?

[zehnernet]

15 + tin + 5 sounds great. A silly question, but did you add the spray malt ?

There are no silly questions, are there? O'course I add the spray malt (Mundson 1kg medium).
But maybe there was a fault,because in my first try I didin't know when, and if I have to do something with it in forehand. So I boild it together with the tin. Afterwards it was crusty outside and nothing changed inside. I gave it than with the tin (and the tin-rinse water) into the pan and boiled it for 20min.

I hope that was right (the boiling in the pan), that was the bit where I was not sure about.

Thanks,