Beer Forum

OK, any of you that experience real winter weather out there... this is my first year of brewing and want to keep going during the winter and it gets cold up here.

What do you do during the winter when you brew out in a garage that doesn't have any heat (besides drinking beer)? Any suggestions would be apreciated.

Thanks,

Rob

Damn! forgot to log in again... this is 2Dog asking.

I have brewed many batches in the dead of winter here in Nebraska. This has included snowstorms, sleet storms and below zero weather. I envy you folks that have a garage. I do mine on the porch.

My advice is to spend as little time as possible actually outside. Observe through a window or storm door. Once the hot break has happened, there is little danger of boilover (but not impossible). While outside, stand close, but don't catch your clothes on fire. If you do have to stand outside, don't drink any alcohol, this will dilate the blood vessels in your skin and you will get even colder.

A handy gadget to have for the burner is an old metal washtub or medium sized metal trash can with the bottom cut out. Put a few port holes in the sides for air flow and your gas line and slip it over the burner. This will direct the heat straight up (bring the wort to a boil quicker) and block out the wind, which will reduce gas efficiency.

Don't let the weather stop you from brewing. We could only brew about 3 months out of the year here in Nebraska if we let the weather stop us.

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company

Thanks Bugeater, you must really like your beer... I thought it would be all right but I didn't know for sure. Most of the folks I have talked to so far were in warmer climates.

Stay warm!

I usually just crack the garage door and brew away. You just have to make sure you have fresh air getting in so you don't kill yourself with carbon monoxide(sp?). I put an old paint can under the door to hold it up. Other than that I brew as normal.

I also use a large Kerosene heater. That thing will keep it in the 50's in there even with the door open a little.

Travis

Thanks Travis, I knew you would respond. I like the heater idea. I have a back door and a couple of windows I can crack open for air.

Rob

Anonymous wrote:Thanks Travis, I knew you would respond. I like the heater idea. I have a back door and a couple of windows I can crack open for air.

Rob

And I'm an idiot... forgot to log in... a... gain!

ARRRRRGGGG!!! Sometimes it's the simple things that confuse me...wouldn't know I work in the IT field....