Warm humid climate

[cdtcraig]

Here’s an alternative I used some 25 years ago, when I first wanted to try lagers, but all I had to work with was Ohio basement temperature (still too warm really for even ales in the summer, but of course acceptable compared to Texas.)

I made a jacket for my carboy from fiberglass attic insulation wrapped in plastic cut from garbage bags and taped to exclude moisture.  I similarly constructed a cap to plug the opening at the top and let the airlock poke out.  I got a slew of those gel blocks you freeze and put in picnic coolers.  Two sets.  One set I tucked down in between the carboy and the jacket, the other was in the freezer.  Morning and evening, I swapped out the gel blocks.  As I recall, I was able to maintain ~50°F fermentation temperature,  even lower for a brief “lagering” after exothermic fermentation had subsided.  (For a D-rest, just remove the jacket and cover with a garbage bag for light protection.)  I had set it on the basement floor,  which is always going to be cooler than in Texas.  But set the whole thing on a piece of Styrofoam insulation, and it might be adaptable to your needs and desired temperatures.  The nice thing is it only needs attention every 12 hours, though it’s as crude as any of the evaporative methods mentioned.

Ultimately, the freezer and temperature controller is the answer wherever you are.  Good luck and happy brewing!

Thanks!

[ynotbrusum]

I still do as Robert suggests for my ales in the summer and my extra hybrid or lager batches in the late fall and winter (when I am short on freezer space for fermenting), but I have the specialty bag that helps a bit:

Cool Brewing Fermentation Cooler Bag | MoreBeer

Cheers.

[denny]

If you want to spend money, take a look at the Brewjacket Immersion Pro.  Very effective.