ale fermentation

[Buckeye Brewer]

My friend and I have just started brewing our first batch of beer ever, so we don't know very much about what we're doing. We're making a 5 gallon batch of American micro-style pale ale. Right now, the beer is fermenting in the fermenting vessel, and the instructions we were given said that ales should ferment at a temperature of 66-70 degrees fahrenheit. We've been having heater problems at our house, though, so one night the heater broke for awhile and the beer dropped to 64 degrees...then the next night we couldn't turn the heater off and the beer went up to 75 degrees. What, if any, problems will this pose for our finished product. Should we go ahead and scrap what we have and start over? Any helpful tips would be appreciated

[Tweek]

your fine. the spike in temperature may show itself with more esters, meaning fruit like character inyour beer. The temperatures are that extreme though 75 is a bit high to maintain for a long time. Iwouldnt worry about it. All will be good.

[DreamWeaver]

A few changes in temp won't hurt anything. The mass of 5 gallons of beer will take awhile to respond to change in temp. I just did a Brewers Best Micro Style Pale Ale and bottled it tonight. It/mine tastes just like Coors. I'm not a Coors fan but it could be worse. :D If it is bubbling away(fermenting), go ahead as planned.
Buckeye? Where? I'm in Westcentral, Ohio. And ... Don't EVER throw beer out! Unless it is extemely awful. You can always add 15lbs of corn meal and catch 100 lbs of catfish and invite us over! Welcome & Good Luck!
-DreamWeaver-

[fretlessman71]

Welcome to the boards Buckeye! Don't worry about the temp problems. Just don't let it STAY that way for too long... I left the window open in the room I brew in, and there was a frost while I was away for turkey day, and I think I killed the yeast. Just do your best, and follow the instructions below... you'll be fine!