Now brewing in the south end...

[rdbrew]

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!

[Jimmy]

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;

[akr71]

[benwedge]

I second Jimmy's swamp cooler suggestion.

[jeffsmith]

[rdbrew]

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!

[dexter]

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

[GuingesRock]

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.

[mr x]

Welcome!

Sent from Tapatalk 2, a prick of a company.

[chalmers]

Welcome aboard!

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

[Tony L]

[canuck]

[LiverDance]