What kind of temperature control has to be maintained throughout the fermenting process?

We almost have you hooked, Paul. Just a little bit more....

Tmperature affects different yeast, differently. Yeast have a huge effect on the beer flavor. So over the millennia folks have worked-out appropriate temp rangers for different yeasts and beer types.

Mostl beer is brewed between 40F and 75F -- lagers brewed cooler than ales.

Fermentation begins in the 5 gallon container as soon as the yeast goes in. That continues for about 2 weeks. Then it continues a bit more once it gets bottled (with the addition of a little sugar). If you bottle too soon, you get exploding bottles! Two weeks later, the brew should be ready for drinking. So about a month all together.

You get quite a bit of sediment in the bottles, which is why you usually don't drink homebrews right from the bottle, but carefully pour it off into your favorite mug while leaving the sediment behind.

__________________
1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

Or you say,
"Fork-it, I want a beer and a poop!"

It's all organic.

__________________
1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

did you catch the latest issue of popular mechanics? they have an article on home brewing