I live in Thailand and am currently back home in the states working for a while and visiting family.
A problem I have encountered living in Thailand is the beer. While it is cheap and has an alcohol content of about 9 to 10%, it is simply terrible. To acquire a good beer it is wickedly expensive as it is imported.
With that said before I return I want to get together a nice kit to make my own while I am there. I would like recommendations for a durable, well made set up to last. I really enjoy Belgian style wheat beers. I would like to brew about 10 gallons at a time.
The weather where I live is warm year round. Temp is 80 to 95 and can get to a 100. The humidity is 70% on avg but can hit 80%. What issues might I encounter brewing in those temperatures. I can find cooler places to store the beer during the process but not too much cooler.
This should be a good start and look forward to inputs and recommendations. Thanks in advance
1st, Belgium beer can work at a little warmer temps. But I’m thinking more in the terms of upper 60, low 70’s. See my signature line for ideas on keeping the temps down with frozen plastic soda bottles, or a fridge/freezer.
For fermentation I would use plastic pails. Inexpensive and won’t break.
Temperature is most important in the first few days of fermentation. If you can use a swamp chiller to keep it at least below 70 for the first few days, that will probably be acceptable, particular for belgian styles. I’ve brewed a saison that I let rise up to the 80s before with great results, so that’s a good style to consider.
Also, once you have bottled, carbed beer, you need to keep it as cool as you can manage. Refrigerated would of course be ideal. Beer stored warm will spoil much faster. 100 in particular will ruin beer very quickly. I suppose the alternative would be to drink it very quickly.
Can you get your hands on a cheap fridge to ferment in? If you have to ferment at high temps, Wyeast 3711 French Saison does a nice job well into the 80’s. Of course, all your beers will be saisons then.
Yes I can acquire a fridge, no problem. I considered that as an option.
One element that is a concern is acquiring the right ingredients over there. I am researching that now. I am also trying to determine if this is cost effective. Outside the cost factor I am more interested in enjoying my beer not just tolerating it. While price is a concern taste and enjoyment far out weight it.
Yes I can acquire a fridge, no problem. I considered that as an option.
One element that is a concern is acquiring the right ingredients over there. I am researching that now. I am also trying to determine if this is cost effective. Outside the cost factor I am more interested in enjoying my beer not just tolerating it. While price is a concern taste and enjoyment far out weight it.[/quote]
If you can, than get a fridge and a temperature controller
RE: ingredients - If you are not able to source malted barley or malt extract in thailand, if you can find raw barley, the latest Zymurgy mag did a piece on how to malt your own grains. You need a little bit of space (probably about 5’x5’), but it sounded relatively easy.
Also, if thats not a possibility, you may be able to make beers with the indigenous grains over there, but may also need to source some enzymes (alpha/beta amylase and others), as many grains don’t possess the enzymes to diastatically convert complex sugars to simple sugars during the mashing process. I’m not sure I’ve heard of 100% wheat beers, but it would be something to research if you had the right enzymes to add to the mash and the ability to source wheat in large enough quantities.
If malted barley or malt extract is not available over there, I would definitely read up on home malting. Who knows, maybe you could start your own malting company over there for all those like you who want good beer!
[quote=“dobe12”][quote=“JAFO”]Thanks for the responses thus far,
Yes I can acquire a fridge, no problem. I considered that as an option.
One element that is a concern is acquiring the right ingredients over there. I am researching that now. I am also trying to determine if this is cost effective. Outside the cost factor I am more interested in enjoying my beer not just tolerating it. While price is a concern taste and enjoyment far out weight it.[/quote]
If you can, than get a fridge and a temperature controller
As for ingredients… sorry you’re on your own there. I know nothing about Thailand except where it is and what Anthony Bourdain has shown me on TV.[/quote]
I believe that the electricity available in Thailand is 220v. Johnson controllers may be available in 220v from other venders. The ebay controller in my signature line is available in 220v for a much smaller price tag.
