How do you keep beer at fermenting temperature?

Answer 1

General guidelines are here:

http://www.beeripedia.com/index.php/Best_serving_temperature

The colder a beer, the more the flavor is masked. So... the basic answer is: The warmest temperature you can where you still like it... and if it's a beer you don't particularly like, serve it really cold.

Answer 2

Ideally beer should be kept between 4oC and 6oC (39-43oF) and obviously no lower than 0oC (32oF).

BUT - this answer depends on both the variety of beer (stout, lager, ale, etc) and the traditions of the country where it is drunk. Most beer drinking traditions prefer beer at room temperature or slightly (5-10 degrees) below. Only in North America is beer drunk at lower temperatures, probably due to the fact that refrigeration is cheap and abundant.

Answer 3

Depends on the type of yeast you are using. If you are using ale yeast (top fermenting) you can relatively easily store it in your house (between 59 - 77 degrees F). If you are using lager yeast (bottom fermenting) you will have to control the temperature in some kind of refrigeration unit (between 40 and 55 degrees F).

Regardless of what kind of beer you are making, make sure it's stored in a dark place.

If you are asking how to keep your fermenter at the proper temperature it can be simple and cheap. Build a box out of 2x2's and drywall just big enough to contain your fermenter, a lampholder, and a thermostat. Put a 100 watt lamp in the lampholder and control the lamp with the thermostat which is set at whatever temperature you choose. Make sure to use a "line voltage thermostat". If you try to use a t-stat with a 24 volt coil you will blow it up. The thermostat will turn the light on and off as the temp. rises and falls. I put mine together for about $30. Don't worry about the light, the incandecent lamp does not emitt enough uv rays to ruin your beer, but if you want you can cover your fermenter with a towel to block the light, just be sure you keep the lamp far enough away from the towel.