It takes more than just throwing a few ingredients together to make great beer. You need to make sure all equipment is cleaned properly, sanitised, and that you provide the perfect environment for your beer to mature. One of the biggest factors in this is the correct temperature.
It’s time you discovered why temperature matters and how to control it. The process starts with getting the right equipment, it makes everything simpler. Take a look at aeb-group.com to see what you need to get before you start making your beer.
Why The Temperature Matters
To create beer you need several ingredients but the most important is yeast. This is actually a single-cell organism and it multiplies rapidly in the right conditions. In order for yeast to thrive it needs to be moist, warm, and have a source of food.
The food source is the sugar you add to your beer, the liquid is water and, when the warmth level is right, the yeast multiplies. As a side-effect of this, it converts the sugar in the ingredients into alcohol and several other compounds. It’s these that create the alcohol level of your beer and the flavour.
However, you should note that although yeast needs warmth, the exact temperature it prefers will depend on the type of yeast you are using. In most cases, the temperature needs to be 70°F (21°C) for the fermentation process to start, but it can be higher.
The temperature should be steady throughout the process but it is particularly important in the first 24 hours. Fluctuations here, especially if it drops too low, can cause the yeast to deactivate and even increase the amount of bacteria present.
How To Control Temperature
There are several ways to control the temperature of your beer while brewing:
Electric Blanket
This isn’t actually an electric blanket like you have on your bed but the principle is the same. They are often referred to as a beer belt. It wraps around your fermenting device and you plug it in. The device will automatically warm to approximately 10° higher than the current room temperature. This will warm the beer and help the fermenting process.
If you need to make the beer warmer then slide the belt downward, if it needs to be cooler the belt can go upward to help you get the temperature just right.
Add a thermostat to the beer and the beer belt will come on and off automatically.
Space Heaters
A space heater is an effective way to warm the room and the process is gradual. This takes longer but reduces the shock to the yeast, allowing it to function better.
Use A Fridge
Fridges are well insulated. You can plug it in, set the desired temperature, and then add your beer. The temperature will be automatically controlled, allowing your beer to ferment without interruption.
What Happens When you Get it Right
As soon as you get it right you’ll know because the beer brewing process will move forward smoothly and the beer will taste fantastic. Of course, it tastes even better because you brewed it yourself.
Once you’ve mastered it you’ll know it’s time to start creating and gifting custom beer mats, reminding your family and friends who made the awesome beer they are drinking!
