3 Tips For Keeping Home-Brewed Beer In Self Storage Units
Americans are crazy about their beer, and many are becoming home brewing enthusiasts according to the American Homebrewers Association (AHA). The environment conditions required for brewing beer at home is quite specific. Many homeowners who do not have sufficient room at home for home brewing are renting storage units. Having a dedicated space to store the equipment and to allow for the beer to brew in peace is important. If you're interested in brewing beer within storage units, here are 3 tips that will help you brew a good batch.
Find a Climate Controlled Storage Unit
The conditions must be right when brewing beer to get great results. Climate controlled units can maintain constant temperatures within the units. Depending on the type of yeast that you use to ferment the beer, different temporal conditions are necessary. In general, there are two distinct varieties of yeast that can be used: top-fermenting yeast, or Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or bottom-fermenting yeast, or Saccharomyces uvarum.
Top-fermenting yeast performs best at temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. At lower temperatures, the yeast becomes dormant and fermentation does not occur successfully. Bottom-fermenting yeast, on the other hand, performs best at temperatures between 32 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The type of yeast you choose to use will determine the type of beer you get. For example, bottom-brewing yeast is highly recommended when brewing lagers.
Make Sure the Unit is Dark
While most self-storage facilities are well-lit, most storage units are relatively dark, and are not well-lit. Some storage units don't even have lights in them or windows. You want to choose a storage unit that is completely dark when closed because beer brews best in the dark. Make sure there are no holes or gaps in the walls or corners of the unit for light to penetrate in. To make sure unwanted light cannot enter the unit, close the door on yourself while inside the unit. You might have to consider installing weatherstrips at the doors to seal any gaps that may be present.
To further ensure the beer is brewed without the interference of light, brew the beer within brown bottles. Brown bottles are able to efficiently and effectively block out most of the light.
Choose a Facility with Sinks, Washrooms and Cleaning Stations
If you plan on brewing beer in the unit, you'll also need to find a facility that offers sinks, washrooms or any other type of cleaning station, so you can clean your equipment regularly. Cleaning and sanitation is one of the most important keys to making good beer because any bacteria that isn't supposed to be there can interrupt the fermentation process. This may cause the beer to take on off-flavors or may cause additional problems to emerge. You can easily ruin a good batch of home-brewed beer if you don't keep your unit clean.
Make sure to clean equipment as soon as you are done with them, and to allow the pieces to dry completely before packing them for storage. It's helpful to have labeled plastic containers with sealed lids to prevent dirt and dust from accumulating on the surfaces with time.
Conclusion
If you are interested in starting your own brewing adventure and experimenting with home brewing, you should highly consider renting out a storage unit for this hobby. It can be difficult to find a space with just the right conditions at home – especially since it's easy for this hobby to grow. In addition, brewing the beer in a storage unit will allow the beer to remain undisturbed for the majority of the time it is fermenting, which is just what the beer needs. Check out units online at sites like http://www.getepicstorage.com.