Brew Day - 1.092 using an 1800mL WLP 530 starter @ 68
BD + 5 - 1.040, tasted eh, let free-rise to 74
BD + 12 - 1.018, tasted tasty, temp still @ 74
BD > 12 - 1.015 target, even tastier, TBD
I know it’s still early, but should I use a heating device and crank this up to 80+? I’ve read Belgian yeast strains should be allowed to get as warm as possible. How warm is warm? Is 74 enough?
In reality, I think I’m subconsciously looking for an excuse to go the the new HBS that just opened up in my hood:
+1 degree F per day, 2F/day max. Gentle - its easier to cause yeast stress at higher ABV.
Since gravity is still dropping, I wouldn’t worry about it too much. You’re bound to get another point or two, which would put you on the drier / higher ABV side of the style (and higher than most Trappist brands).
If anything, a gentle rise in temp will encourage yeast to stay in suspension and clean up fermentation by-products.
I always have difficulty maintaining ~80F temps in my ferm fridge with a heat wrap. If you can’t keep the temp +/- 1 degree, its better to just hold it steady.
Given my kegerator doubles as a fermentation chamber, and I just tapped a keg a few nights ago, I probably couldn’t efficiently use a heat wrap anyway. I guess I should be pretty happy that it’s managed to drop within a few points of my target without needing any electricity.