Summer brewing if no temp control.....

[YorkshireTiger]

......is this a big no-no? I've really got into AG since last September with some quite pleasing results but am reliant simply on room and outside temperatures. I'm not too worried about fermentation temperatures as I've got an upstairs cupboard that won't go much above 20 degrees unless we have a real heatwave, but will have no means of keeping my beer cool once it has finished conditioning. Is there any answer to this, was wondering how other people get round it? Baby on the way so money a bit tight at the mo, so fancy equipment is a non- starter! Cheers matt

[Dr. Dextrin]

Bottling the beer will allow you to put bottles in the fridge.

Another approach is to make beer ice-cubes and then add them to your glass when pouring a warm pint. I tried this last summer and it sort of worked - main problem was the ice cubes were a bit slushy and difficult to get out of the moulds. Possibly my beer was too strong to freeze well (OG1060).

Another issue is that warm beer will taste flat unless you have a lot of pressure in the keg. Then it gets difficult to pour because of the froth. A long bit of beer line before the tap is supposed to help (I've never tried that), or a short length of hose on the outlet of the tap and/or a bit of practice controlling the tap.

[DaRabman]

The same worries have been running through my head today, I'm just over in York and it's been beautiful all day!

My understanding is that the tolerance primarily lies in the type of yeast you're using. Lager yeast requires a low storage and maturation temperature (less than 14C) to prevent off flavours hanging around, namely sulphur and diacetyl. Ale yeast is more resistant, but in both cases you will probably find yourself with some estery, fruity flavours hanging about if you store at 20C. Temperatures in the 8 - 14C range also enhance fining action, so you can expect the beer to drop bright much better at those temperatures.
Failing that, my policy (that I can't back up with evidence) is that's preferable to store at steady temperatures that are a bit high, than widely fluctuating ones that average lower.

As far saving money goes, I'm trying to hunt down a fridge for some lagering using Freecycle. It's basically a free Yahoo usergroup on the web subscribed to by local people who are happy to give away their old stuff for free. I'm certain there's a group for Hull.

[Pauliet]

This is England so dont worry the Summer temperatures will soon be at the norm.....about 12 degrees!

[eddy31384]

look on freegle hull, for a free fridge. it may not be pritty but say to the Mrs it can double as a fridge for the babys bottles

[Gawk]

My idea for the warmer weather was to have a go at some wine kits, apparently they are happy a bit warmer. Luckily I also have a fermentation fridge so i can keep a stock of beers going

[PureGuiness]

I manage to brew everything apart from lager all year round and high temperatures have only caused the odd problem here and there. I can usually find somewhere cool enough to brew around the house - either a shady room or in the garage. Also as already mentioned our weather doesn't usually stay too hot for long even in good years.

[AnthonyUK]

Make something dark for the winter months where the side effects of higher temps can be beneficial to the style.
Try a water bath using a Gorilla tub (or cheaper variant) - http://www.gorillatub.com/ - to increase the liquid volume which helps stabilise temperature fluctuations.
You can put frozen bottles of water in the tub to keep temps down.

When you get fed up with faffing around, get a fridge

[YorkshireTiger]

Cheers for the suggestions fellas, I'll have a look on those websites for a cheap/free fridge, makes sense, happy brewing thanks again matt

[Rookie]

I'm not a big fan of Belgian beers (give me a bitter every time), but some of them are supposed to be fermented at higher temperatures.