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i am new to brewing i am brewing a ale just wondering what happens if it gets too cold (below 16deg) because it is very cold at night time, will this have any effects on my brew? When bottled where is best place to store brew? Any advice/tips on brewing would be appreciated thanks

Hello Donkey83(great name),

Im new to brewing also but from what I understand is that Ales should be brewed around the 18-20 degree mark and it also depends on what type of yeast you are using(kit yeast or specialty yeast), more than likely the yeast could go dormant(go to sleep) in which it wont be working and doing the job it is meant to do. It is best to try and keep your temp constant, do you have a thermometer on your fermenter? What does it consistently read?

if it's still showing signs of fermenting (krausen, possibly airlock bubbling, and SG reducing over time), then it'll be fine. if fermentation has begun, you'll need to go fairly cold before you'll stop it again, especially with most kit yeasts.

temp reads between 16-20deg most of the time but through the night it gets to 12-14 deg
I have not noticed any bubbling from the airlock i made the batch about 6 days ago is that normal? SG is 1020

If it reads 16-20, it should be fine. Forget the what the airlock is doing. What was OG? It is fine to leave it until say the 12th day, check the Grav. reading, check next day and check the next day and if the same all times, it will be fine to bottle. Those temps will make better beer but will take longer to ferment out, most guys(and me now) leave 14 days regardless. Also, I just cover my fermenter with 2 layers cling wrap and seal with the rubber seal attached to the lid and maybe a rubber band, you can then see what is happening with fermentation.

Wrap your fermenter in a blanket or the like. I have 2 fermenters out in the shed wrapped in an old sleeping bag and wihtout any heating i can keep the brews around 18C even with night time temps that would freeze the proverbials off a brass monkey....

If it gets any colder i have a heating pad i put between them (never sit a fermenter directly on a heat pad) overnight and switch it off in the morning and have had no probs.

At 16C you should still get some signs of activity. Check SG readings every few days. Unless you are doing something big 1.020 is still too high.

thanks for your advice this is a fantastic forum i will be a regular here.
i have put blanket around my baby and now temp is consistent at 18 i will let you now how it goes.
thanks again everyone for help

Just wondering if anyone can help me out with bottles? I had some lined up but that fell through (he threw them out).so now i am in trouble when bottling time comes
Can you bottle in 2l plastic bottles?

where are you? i have bottles coming out my arse (meterphorically speaking)

donkey83 wrote:Just wondering if anyone can help me out with bottles? I had some lined up but that fell through (he threw them out).so now i am in trouble when bottling time comes
Can you bottle in 2l plastic bottles?

Yes you can bottle in the Plastic Bottles.

Just keep them in a dark cupboard as the light can ruin the beer...........so I have read, not from experience.

Location would be good....we wont track you down and drink all your beer.....promise

Cheers

Boonie

sorry a location would be helpful i am out near windsor nsw

donkey83 wrote:sorry a location would be helpful i am out near windsor nsw

Wee bit far to drive for bottles.......seriously get on fleabay and bid on bottles preferably with a fermenter as you then can make more beer .

I purchased over 500 longneck bottles, filthy dirty, and not rolltops for $10.50 on ebay from Sydney. ....OK OK, I was pissed when I bid for them and my mate picked them up.....he drives a truck to and from Sydney.

I washed, scrubbed and scrubbed some more, delabelled, sterilised and resold them.....I already had 400 Longies .....again, I was pissed when I put in the bid for them....seriously did not think I would get them for $10.50.....

Cheers

Boonie

haha booni!!!

gotta watch consuming beer and fleabay mate!!

manys a piece of shit ive bought whilst under the influence!! hehehe

looking around now actually for a third fermenter..............any ideas?

zumanity wrote:haha booni!!!

gotta watch consuming beer and fleabay mate!!

manys a piece of shit ive bought whilst under the influence!! hehehe

looking around now actually for a third fermenter..............any ideas?

Welcome to the forum zumanity.

Ebay is good for a cheap used fermenter, but you will get double of some stuff you may not need nor want. Also check local papers for "Treasure Trove" items.

If you have a local HBS check fermenters there as they are Brand new and range from $30-$40.

Cheers

Boonie

any ideas on a cheap source of 60L drums?

preferably not used for industrial waste / chemicals in the past..........lol

Sorry, no idea

no probs mate.

if i can get a 60L i can double the production and gain stock ahead of further brews.

Does it really matter what they were used for, you are gonna sterilize them anyway. So long as they don't have scratches and sh*t on the inside, and they weren't used for radioactive waste storage , who cares. A day or so soaked in a good cleaner and sterilizer will fix all that. Check your local HBS. Plenty of big fementers out there

yeah i guess with a good sterilize all should be good.

I have bottled my first batch yesterday arvo.
just wondering there is sediment on bottom of bottles is this normal or have i stuffed up somewhere in process?
how long till i can rip one open and try it?