The Importance of Brewing Temperature

The Importance of Fermentation Temperature

"Fermentation is a delicate brewing process that requires a balance of time and temperature to consistently make quality beer every time."

Yeast and temperature have a major impact on the flavour and quality of finished beer. Each yeast strain will have an ideal recommended temperature range and brewing within that range will ensure healthy fermentation and ultimately better beer.

What happens if the fermentation temperature is too low?

If the temperature is too low the yeast may slow considerably or stop completely as the yeast flocculates to the bottom of the fermenter.

The exception is Lager which requires cold temperatures to preserve aromatic qualities and produce clean, crisp beer. Lager yeast loves the cold and may take weeks longer to develop and mature. Success in lager brewing takes extra time whilst each phase in the fermentation and conditioning process is allowed to run its course.

What happens if the fermentation temperature is too high?

Fermenting above the normal temperature range may produce excessive fruit,y cidery flavoured esters. Fermentation needs to be warm enough to be healthy and produce desirable hop fruit and or malt flavours and aromatics.

Brewing with a Heat Pad when it is Cold

The Home Brew Heater Panel easily allows you to maintain consistent fermentation temperatures to provide consistent results. To use it, simply turn it on and sit your fermenter on top. The heat pad runs on 25 watts and provides a low consistent heat using very little power.

During colder periods you may choose to have it on day and night and during warmer periods you may choose to just use it for few hours during the night when temperatures drop. A stick-on thermometer on the side of your fermenter makes monitoring fermentation temperatures a simple task.

You will notice that the temperature changes very slowly as it takes a long time for 22lt of wort to heat up or lose temperature. Whilst the day and night air temperatures may fluctuate by as much as 10 degrees, you will probably notice your fermenter will only fluctuate a couple of degrees.

We brew successfully throughout winter at the Australian Home Brewing warehouse which can get very cold and remain cool for weeks. Great for lagers and pilsners, but not so good for ales. Once the Heat Pad is switched on, the fermenter sits comfortably at 18 to 20 degrees and we just let the yeast do its magic.

Introducing proper fermentation temperature into your brewing process will allow your beers to produce the distinctive and delicious flavour characteristics of great craft beer. With the Home Brew Heat Panel, you'll be fermenting like a pro all winter.