Brewing in hot climates

[milkfloat]

I'm brewing from kit in a hot climate (December-February time temperature is generally 30-35c). I know that this is not an ideal temperature for home brewing, so I'm looking for easy methods to keep the fermenter cool.

I've read about storing the fermenter in a bigger vessel filled with cool or iced water, and also about wrapping the fermenter in wet t-shirts. Are either of these effective in hot climates?

I've also seen instructions involving submersible pre-chillers, but these seem to be mainly for pitching the wort, is that correct?

I plan to brew IPAs and wheat beers, but if I want to brew pilsner or lager, is there any solution apart from buying a specialist fridge to keep it cool?

Thanks.

 

[aamcle]

These are the Guys who know :-

http://aussiehomebrewer.com


Atb. Aamcle

 

[cheapbrew]

There is a recent thread about a member getting a cooling bag big enough for an FV and it working well, I cannot remember who it was or what the thread title was, maybe someone else or the thread poster will answer.

EDIT: here ya go http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=58966&highlight=cool

 

[GlentoranMark]

Make 5L brews in a demijohn and that will fit your fridge nicely

 

[LarryF]

There are a couple of warmer weather yeasts, Mangrove Jacks Workhorse and Mauribrew 514, I think that they max out at 32c.

 

[brisboy]

I too live in a hot climate and it's a bit more difficult to brew good beer in the summer. But it's possible.

I do the fv in a bath with wet towels thing, adding freezer bricks for the first 3 or 4 days to reduce off flavours.

The other thing as has already been mentioned is yeast selection. I'm trying the mangrove Jack's workhorse at the moment. Have had some success with bry-97 (danstar). Or you can brew a summer style like Saisons or Belgians. I've just brewed a wheat beer with t-58 (fermentis/safale) which is great but has a very distinctive flavour profile which is great if you like it.

As for lagers you might have to wait for winter and even then you'll want a very stable temp.

Hope we're helping. 😁

 

[GHW]

I'm brewing from kit in a hot climate (December-February time temperature is generally 30-35c).
.

It's not much cooler in London tbh.

 

[Fil]

if you have the space for it a diy brewfridge with an stc1000 or similar controller
made from a domestic fridge is a very do-able in an afternoon or evening project and takes a lot of hassle from brewing in a hot climate.

And can be very cheap if you get a fridge donated or 2nd use, an stc1000 is about a tenner as your always wanting chilling, no need to bother with heating as well

 

[JapanBrew]

Go with Fil answer. It's well worth it. The STC really keeps the temp in range and the compressor delay in the STC is super.

 

[milkfloat]

Those are some great suggestions, thanks all.

 

[Fil]

if mucking about with wires and connecting up an stc1000 controller ther is an off the shelf plug in option http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=59124
there is a 110v version too..

 

[JapanBrew]

But if your using a fridge or freezer, you need one with a compressor delay. If an off brand keeps kicking on the compressor ever minute or so, your compressor will blow. STC has that delay setting. They're not that hard to wire.

 

[MyQul]

Prior to getting my fermentation bag, I've done quite a bit of research into this. This is a particularly good article

http://byo.com/hops/item/1084-make-me-sweat-cool-tips-for-hot-weather-brewing