Hi,
I'm looking at taking my brew quality up a little. I brew kits such as Thomas Coopers Selection and Morgans with liquid malt and generally discard the suppled yeast for premium yeast. Im after a bit of general advise on how can I improve my brewing processes (without going to AG).
In the past I have relied on a fairly stable temp 1/2 underground garage to brew ales at around 18Deg C. In winter I brewed lagers at around 11DegC. Anyway Ive moved house and dont have as good a temp garage.
For $70 I purchased a second hand Dome 24 Thermoelectric Wine Cooler which can be set between 9 and 16 DegC, and from tests holds it's set temp within 0.9DegC. It fits all my Carboys with air locks perfectly unlike many minibar fridges.
This temp range might not be ideal for ales (isnt 16DegC a bit low??) but I figure brewing lagers (such as Saflager) at a controlled 11-12DegC in this cooler will work great.
Sorry for the long winded blurb! Now for the questions
1) Does cold conditioning help & will my wine cooler work or does it have to be cooler.
2) Can you cold condition if you bottle (Vs Keg). Doesnt cooling the beer to near zero kill yeast? If Im bottling and need yeast to prime and preserve the beer when in the bottle.
3) I generally ferment (1-2wks depending), rack for approx. 2wks using gelatine as finings, bulk prime with dextrose and bottle into 330mL green/brown bottles. Where exactly in this process would I cold condition?
4) Also when storing bottles prior to drinking what temp should I store the bottles at? For ales in my last garage they were around 18Deg C. Now that Im going to brew Lagers do the bottles need to be stored at a different temperature?
Thanks to all those that take the time to assist a fellow home brewer.
Cheers.
I'm looking at taking my brew quality up a little. I brew kits such as Thomas Coopers Selection and Morgans with liquid malt and generally discard the suppled yeast for premium yeast. Im after a bit of general advise on how can I improve my brewing processes (without going to AG).
In the past I have relied on a fairly stable temp 1/2 underground garage to brew ales at around 18Deg C. In winter I brewed lagers at around 11DegC. Anyway Ive moved house and dont have as good a temp garage.
For $70 I purchased a second hand Dome 24 Thermoelectric Wine Cooler which can be set between 9 and 16 DegC, and from tests holds it's set temp within 0.9DegC. It fits all my Carboys with air locks perfectly unlike many minibar fridges.
This temp range might not be ideal for ales (isnt 16DegC a bit low??) but I figure brewing lagers (such as Saflager) at a controlled 11-12DegC in this cooler will work great.
Sorry for the long winded blurb! Now for the questions
1) Does cold conditioning help & will my wine cooler work or does it have to be cooler.
2) Can you cold condition if you bottle (Vs Keg). Doesnt cooling the beer to near zero kill yeast? If Im bottling and need yeast to prime and preserve the beer when in the bottle.
3) I generally ferment (1-2wks depending), rack for approx. 2wks using gelatine as finings, bulk prime with dextrose and bottle into 330mL green/brown bottles. Where exactly in this process would I cold condition?
4) Also when storing bottles prior to drinking what temp should I store the bottles at? For ales in my last garage they were around 18Deg C. Now that Im going to brew Lagers do the bottles need to be stored at a different temperature?
Thanks to all those that take the time to assist a fellow home brewer.
Cheers.