[dlihcsnatas]

Well I haven't been keeping tabs on this web site as much lately because of the heat and the lack of being able to brew. It only depresses me to read all the wonderful posts here and know that I just can't get anything in the ol' fermenter due to the heat. Yep I live in wonderfull Texas where we have 6 months of summer, 2 months of fall, 2 months of winter (if we're lucky), and 2 months of spring. Next month should end our 90 degree highs and once that happens I will be turning on the AC in "my" room and getting some brews on the way. All ingredients are ready and waiting just need that weather man to say highs in the 80's all week.

It has been a long summer too. The last of my home brew was gone at the end of June. Really bad part was that before the real heat set in I ran into one problem after another that prevented me from getting in a few last batches for summer. I had really set my heart on trying my hand at a cactus ale for summer too. Oh well maybe next year.

Oh and before you wonder why I did not turn on the AC and brew anyways... Electricity is at an all time high and I just flat out can not afford it. My August bill hit just over $400 and that is with as minimul amount of AC use as we could deal with. It cost too much to cool another room just for a brew and unfortunatily my wife does not like the smell and will not let me put my carboy in the bedroom.

COME ON 80 DEGREE WEATHER, GOT KEGS THAT NEED TO BE FILLED!

[wild]

What about chest freezers? We won't be hitting highs in the 80s until December but I brew all year long (even on the 120°F days) and ferment my ales in a temp controlled freezer. Tomorrow I brew my Obsidian Stout Clone and Saturday I'll brew my Mirror Pond Clone. These'll be for NASCAR.

Wild

[crapsstickman711]

Wild is right... I too live in the valley of the sun. I have a chest freezer to make sure I can ferment all year round. That was my main concern when I got into brewing. "How would I ferment in a room set to 80 - 90 degrees?"

Check Craigslist. I found my 14.1 cuft. freezer for $50 and works great! Add that to the $60 temprature regulator thingy that I got from my home brew shop. Total investment $110. Good deal to be able to ferment and bottle condition all year round.

Plus, I haven't seen a dramatic increase in my electric bills for running a chest freezer like that. I think it is because it only runs 40% - 50% of the time.

Good luck and welcome back to the Brewing "Season"...

[crapsstickman711]

Originally Posted by wild

Tomorrow I brew my Obsidian Stout Clone and Saturday I'll brew my Mirror Pond Clone. These'll be for NASCAR.

Wild

Hey Wild,

Looks like you have a few good Deschutes brews there. Do you happen to have a clone recipe for their "Cinder Cone Red"? PM if you do. I would love to get a copy if you have it.

[wild]

Originally Posted by crapsstickman711

Hey Wild,

Looks like you have a few good Deschutes brews there. Do you happen to have a clone recipe for their "Cinder Cone Red"? PM if you do. I would love to get a copy if you have it.

I've never tried the Cinder Cone Red. I see it's a Winter Seasonal so I'll give it a try this winter and see what I can do.

Sorry about hijacking the thread.

Wild