Home of the BrewNosers

Hi, brewnosers!

I've just started my first partial mash batch and figured it was the right time to get myself a little better versed in home brewin'. So far I've done a BrewHouse IPA and a Festa Brew wheat with a jar of raspberry purée added to the primary (drinking one now) and have two batches on right now: a Festa cervesa in secondary and the partial in primary as of yesterday. The partial is 1820 IPA kit from Noble Grape. I'm a little worried about the ambient temperatures in my brew sites (two south end apartments, but what am I gonna do?) but am excited to be brewing and learning.

I've already found out all kinds of useful info skimming the boards here and can't wait until I know enough to start participating more!

A cheap solution to help with hot fermentation temperatures is to setup a swamp cooler. It takes a little bit of work, but it can really help lower your temps. The easier (though more expensive) option is to build a fermentation chamber, it's fully automatic and can maintain temperatures within 1* of what you set it at.

http://billybrew.com/swamp-cooler-homebrew" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I second Jimmy's swamp cooler suggestion.

Thanks, people!

I don't have anything big enough to put the primary in for a swamp cooler, but I definitely am considering assembling pieces for one for the carboy if it stays hot. It was cool enough last night that I managed to get a good breeze going and the sticky thermometer on the outside of the bucket went from reading 26-27 last night to 22 this morning. I'm hoping the high read last night was just a combination of weather and fermentation. Whether it was or it wasn't, first partial mash batch is an education!

I've used bungy cords and sprain bags to help keep it cool, not lager temps bt cooler than ambient FWIW

You don't have a small room you could put a cheap window Air conditioner in? Might double as a place to "chill" and drink the beer also.

Welcome!

Sent from Tapatalk 2, a prick of a company.

Welcome aboard!

I've used a swamp cooler with successful results as well, inside a decent-sized rubbermaid tub.