Newest Threads

dmcg1230 · 10-11-2012, 01:55 AM

Hey all

On Saturday I made a Witbier batch from a Brewer's Best kit. It seemed to really be fermenting like mad because there were a ton of bubbles (like one right after the other). The next morning it did more of the same. However, I checked it on Monday and there was no bubbling or anything. I assumed this meant that I messed up somewhere (rookie attitude at its finest) so after being consulted by other, more experienced brewers, I was told to check the SG. I took a reading and it was about 1.010 (what the recipe says the FG should be).

Not knowing what to do, I transferred it to my secondary glass carboy and now I'm wondering whether I should proceed to bottling since it appears to be at FG or if I should just wait it out for a few more days to a week or two.

NCangler17 · 10-11-2012, 01:59 AM

Wait on it for a while for clarity. Otherwise, if the FG has stabilized over 3 days, then bottle away.

As with many things in brewing, the choice is yours.

drewmedic23 · 10-11-2012, 02:10 AM

That is some really quick fermentation. I would have let it sit in my primary for at least a week. If it is a simple recipe, you dont even need to secondary longer than a few hours to let anything you may have sucked out of your primary settle before bottling. It wouldnt hurt to let it sit for at least a week though. This way, you are sure that fermentation is complete and dont have any exploding bottles down the road

dmcg1230 · 10-11-2012, 02:11 AM

How long should I wait for clarity? I feel like a Witbier is usually cloudy anyway (not that I'm saying you're wrong)

Unibrow · 10-11-2012, 02:18 AM

I think all beers should be in the primary for at least 2 weeks without exception. If you choose to do a secondary, don't transfer until you've reached FG. The secondary isn't necessary unless you're adding some fruit addition or extra flavoring.

drewmedic23 · 10-11-2012, 02:31 AM

witbier shouldnt be clear however, you dont want yeast and trud floating around. I agree with unibrow. I let my brews sit in the primary for at least 10 days for ales and 14 for lagers min. To be honest, I havent brewed any wheats yet but my biggest concern would be making sure your fermentation is complete

jpabian · 10-11-2012, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unibrow

I think all beers should be in the primary for at least 2 weeks without exception.

I dunno. I typically have done seven to nine days in the primary and at least that long in the secondary for clarity.

I guess if you do want to wait two weeks, that's pretty foolproof and can offer consistent results, but don't think it should be a hard and fast rule.

amandabab · 10-11-2012, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmcg1230

How long should I wait for clarity? I feel like a Witbier is usually cloudy anyway (not that I'm saying you're wrong)

hazy, not crystal clear, but not cloudy.
A lot of people shortcut and bottle/keg yeasty muck because it has wheat in it.

jpabian · 10-11-2012, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amandabab

hazy, not crystal clear, but not cloudy.
A lot of people shortcut and bottle/keg yeasty muck because it has wheat in it.

I agree. But I still use Irish moss and wait the time out to get as clear as possible. I got friends who have used my recipes and I typically come out clearer. I think racking to 2ndary and waiting a week or so is good enough!

**Hackwood** · 10-11-2012, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpabian

I think racking to 2ndary and waiting a week or so is good enough!

Same here. I'm all for secondary as I did 2 same extract batches, one completely in ferment bucket and the other in secondary for the second half........ The secondary was WAAAY clearer and everyone that tasted the 2 said the same. I'm one for secondary. Hell, if anything, I'm for secondary just to free up my fermenters any more.