3 weeks 70? Is anyone's beer really that good after only 3 weeks in the bottle?
Just curious.
Seems like it takes 4 weeks to be pretty good for me and 5 weeks before I actually want to drink it. I always taste after 3 weeks, but maybe not anymore, seems like such a waste of beer.
Should the mantra be 5 weeks 70, or do my beers just take longer to condition?
It really depends on the style. A bitter or a regular IPA can be done in 3 weeks, whereas a Northern Brown or Amber may take longer. They you have the big beers that take forever to mellow out.
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And now we go AG!
On Tap: Nadda
Primary: Nadda
Planning: Extra Special Bitter
I've got a co-worker that used to brew. He gives me hell about being inpatient when I tell him I'm sampling bottles at 4 weeks. He thinks it takes a minimum of 8 weeks in the bottle to properly condition. You know what? He's right!! The longer they sit (up to about 6 months) the better they get. I like Big Kahuna's approach. Get a quick sample at 3 weeks just to satisfy your curiosity and then stash them away for a couple more months.
Last night swmbo asked when we could drink that stuff I bottled on Wednesday (I split the sample with her) I told her we'll split a sample bottle in 4 weeks, then not touch them again for a couple months (Chocolate Hazelnut Porter). She thought I was joking, then got real sad when she realized I wasn't.
The yeast and fermentation profile can make a big difference. I used Wyeast California Lager yeast for the first time in a steam beer, and its taking forever to mature. However, Wyeast's German Ale yeast matures very quickly, so much so that I expect to start drinking my 6% ABV Octoberfest-style ale just 3 weeks after bottling (6 weeks total from brew day).
Aging beers can help a lot. But if you brew good beer to begin with (i.e., with no flaws that need time to age out), then you can start drinking them sooner rather than later.
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Primary/Secondary: #79 California Common
Kegged: #75 American Stout, #76 Winter Warmer 2011, #77 Newcastle Brown, #78 American Pale Ale
3 weeks 70? Is anyone's beer really that good after only 3 weeks in the bottle?
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