Temperature plays a vital role in beer brewing. For that reason, you must ensure the temperature around your brewing process is optimal and kept constant. You don’t want to carry out the brewing process and end up with a low quality beer. So, what is the ideal temperature to brew beer and how can you keep it (temperature) constant?
What Is the Ideal Temperature to Brew Beer?
The ideal temperature to brew beer is 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit for ales and 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit for lagers. Generally, ales require a warmer temperature to ferment due to the type of yeast used (top-fermenting yeast). On the other hand, lagers use a bottom-fermenting yeast that needs a cooler temperature to ferment.
Therefore, before you begin the brewing process, it is essential understand the type of beer you want to brew. This way, you will better understand the best place to store your fermenter during fermentation. Most beers takes 2 to 4 weeks to ferment, and any temperature variation could interfere with the final product.
How to Control Brewing Temperature
Keeping a stable fermentation temperature throughout the brewing is key to producing an excellent beer. That is why you must ensure full control of your brewing process by monitoring the temperatures. There are two ways to ensure an ideal temperature, cooling or warming. Here are some of the methods you can use to ensure stable fermentation temperatures:
Cooling the Fermenter
Fermentation is exothermic, meaning it will generate heat and increase the temperature of your wort. Therefore, you must bring the temperature down to achieve an optimal range. So, how do you ensure an optimal range? Here are some of the methods to help you out:
Using an Ice Bath
An ice bath is a method of cooling a fermentation vessel by submerging it in a sink or basin filled with ice and cold water. It is the common practice of cooling a fermenter since it is easy to get the materials such as ice cubes, frozen water bottles, and water.
To cool the fermenter using this method, fill a large container with water and ice. Next, place the fermenter in the container. Make sure the water level is high enough to cover the sides of the fermenter. Stir the water occasionally to distribute the cold temperature evenly.
However, using this method to cool your fermenter has some drawbacks. First, it can be challenging to maintain a consistent temperature, which is important for successful fermentation. Second, the method requires constant monitoring compared to other cooling methods. This could consume most of your time if you have other matters.
Using a Swamp Cooler
A swamp cooler controls fermentation temperature by placing the fermenter in a pan of water. It works by adding humidity to the environment. Adding humidity to the fermentation area helps lower your fermenter’s temperature through evaporative cooling. A fan is mainly used to blow the air around.
To use a swamp cooler, wrap a wet towel around your fermenter and place it in a shallow water tray. Ensure the towel touches both the water and the fermenter. Next, place a fan near the setup. The fan helps the process by blowing air over the wet towel. This, in turn, increases the rate of evaporation and cools the fermenter more effectively.
Even though the method works, it may have some drawbacks. For instance, maintaining a consistent temperature may be challenging, especially in hot and humid weather. The method may also require frequent water changes and can cause the fermenter to float if too much water is used.
Using a Fermenter Cooling Jacket
A cooler jacket is a device used in brewing to cool wort or fermenting beer. The jacket is wrapped around a fermenter’s external wall and then connected to a cooling source, such as a glycol chiller.
The jacket contains inlet and outlet ports allowing a cooling medium to circulate. The flow rate of the cooling medium can be used to control the fermenter’s temperature. You can adjust the temperatures to your liking and relax.
Like any other device, this one also has some challenges you should understand. Using it can be challenging due to its dynamics, unpredictable load disturbances, and significant dead time in jacketed vessels.
Using a Fridge and a Digital Temperature Controller
Using a fridge and a digital temperature controller is one of the best ways to ensure your fermenter is cooled to the required temperature. The digital controller allows you to dial in a precious temperature. So, when the temperature fluctuates, it will either turn on a heating element or a fridge. In this case, set the controller into a cooling mode.
To use this method, start by plugging in the fridge in the digital controller and then plug the controller into a power source. Next, connect the probe and set the digital controller to the required temperature (68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit for ales and 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit for lagers).
It is crucial to ensure that the probe is taking the temperature of the liquid in the fermenter and not the ambient temperature. You can dip the probe into the fermenter or tape it to the outside of the vessel using paper towels. The drawback of using this setup is that it can lead to higher energy consumption and expensive repairs.
Heating the Fermenter
Sometimes you need to heat your fermenter when the temperature falls beyond the required one. This way, you can achieve an optimal temperature, brewing your beer according to the standard. Here are some of the methods for increasing the temperature of your fermenter:
Using a Space Heater
To heat your fermenter using a space heater, first, ensure that the heater is safe to use in an enclosed space. Place the heater near the fermenter and adjust the temperature to the desired level. The heater will heat the room’s ambient temperature, increasing the temperature of your fermenting beer.
Always monitor the temperature regularly and adjust the heater as needed to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the fermentation process. It’s important to note that overheating can harm the yeast and affect the quality of the final product.
Using Incandescent Light Bulb
To heat a fermenter using an incandescent light bulb, place a bulb (40 to 60W) inside a small enclosed space with the fermenter. Ensure the bulb is not in direct contact with the fermenter to avoid overheating. Heat from the bulb will radiate and warm up the surrounding area, including the fermenter.
While this method can help warm a fermenter, it has some drawbacks you should understand before you begin the process. First, incandescent bulbs emit light in the UV spectrum that can harm the fermenting beer. Second, these bulbs can pose a fire hazard if they come into contact with the fermenter or any other flammable object.
Using a Fridge, a Heater and a Digital Temperature Controller
This method can be used in both cooling and heating the fermenter. All you need is set your digital controller depending on what you want to do—either cooling or heating mode. As mentioned earlier, ensure your digital controller is set to the correct setting (heating mode).
Wrap the heater around your fermenter and plug it into the controller. Next, plug the controller into a power source and a fridge (a keezer or kegerator). Adjust the temperatures depending on the type of beer you are brewing. Ensure the probe is attached to the carboy.
When the temperature of your fermenting beer fluctuates from the set temperature, the unit will kick on and turn on the heater. This will increase the temperature of your fermenter to the required standards. When the temperature increases, the fridge will turn on to cool the fermenter.
Benefits of Controlling Fermentation Temperature
Temperature is crucial in brewing and that is why you need to put in more effort to ensure you have a beer that meets your preference. Here are some benefits of controlling your fermentation temperature:
- Consistency: Keeping a consistent temperature during fermentation helps ensure that the yeast works at its optimal level throughout the process. This leads to a more consistent final product.
- Flavor: Different strains of yeast and bacteria produce different flavors at different temperatures. By controlling the temperature, you can encourage the production of specific flavors and aromas that you want in your final product.
- Safety: If the temperature gets too high during fermentation, it can create an environment where harmful bacteria can thrive. Keeping the temperature under control helps reduce the risk of contamination and spoilage.
- Efficiency: Controlling the temperature can help speed up or slow down the fermentation process as needed. This can be helpful if you’re working on a tight timeline or trying to achieve a specific result.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens if You Ferment Beer at a Higher Temperature?
Fermenting beer at a higher temperature can increase enzymatic activity, resulting in quicker sugar consumption. This, in turn, makes yeast run out of nutrients, leading to incomplete fermentation. Higher temperatures may also kill yeast cells, stopping the overall fermentation. Always stick to ideal fermentation temperatures.
How Long Does It Take To Ferment Beer?
Fermentation takes anywhere from one week to several months. In most cases, it takes two weeks to fully ferment your beer. However, this could depend on factors such as the type of yeast used, the temperature of the fermentation environment, and the specific gravity of the beer.
What Temperature Kills Fermentation?
Any temperature above 140 degrees Fahrenheit will kill your yeast, leading to the end of fermentation. Ensure you maintain an ideal temperature (68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit for ales and 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit for lagers) for the best result.
Conclusion
The ideal brewing temperature depends on the type of beer you are brewing. Generally, ale yeast thrives at warmer temperatures between 68-72°F, while lager yeast prefers cooler temperatures between 45-55°F. Always maintain a consistent temperature throughout the brewing process to ensure the best possible flavor and fermentation. Happy brewing.