Opinions please (time to rack?)

Panzermann · 12-07-2008, 07:27 AM

I started my first batch, I have chosen a Bock kit and hope it turns out good. I did have help from my father who has been brewing for decades but does not live close by so he could only help via telephone.

I started my batch on Thursday, woke up Friday morning and the airlock was going nuts..what a good sign.

Wakeup Saturday and it has all but stopped..just to be sure I gave the fermenter just a slight whirl (I did not open the lid) and it seemed to start going a little more.

Obviously it is coming to the end of the fermentation cycle and I think I can go ahead and bottle on Monday or Tuesday at this rate.

My question is this, should I go ahead and rack the beer into my secondary (plastic carboy) or just leave it in the fermentor and rack it once I have added my sugar for bottling?

I do not see any harm in either really but would like some suggestions. One thing about home brewing is that there are so many varying opinions, and that does not neccesarilly mean any of them are wrong, simply personal preference.

So what do you guy's think? To rack or not to rack?

z987k · 12-07-2008, 08:31 AM

leave it for a few more days, at least 7. Then rack, wait a month then if it clears up bottling can begin. Unless you like 1/2" of yeast in the bottom of your bottles and green beer.

Oh and a bock is a lager, that on the other hand would take months.... but I'll assume you made an ale.

Gonefishing · 12-07-2008, 10:14 AM

Bottlling too early is one way to experience green beer, and you might get to experience cleaning up after some bottle bombs that way too.

Panzermann · 12-07-2008, 03:48 PM

This is the Kit I used

3lbs Amber DME and 7oz Brewers Yeast (will use Coopers next time)

Wait 7 days to rack, even if fermentation has completely stopped? And then wait a month to bottle? LOL! Jesus Christ.....no way I wait that long. Noooooooooooo

Danek · 12-07-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panzermann

Wait 7 days to rack, even if fermentation has completely stopped? And then wait a month to bottle? LOL! Jesus Christ.....no way I wait that long. Noooooooooooo

Yeah, it's tough. But patience is both the cheapest and simplest way to improve your beer. If you leave it in primary for an extra week, you'll give the yeast time to clear up the less desirable byproducts of fermentation, and you'll have a better beer as a result.

The other advice is to start your next beer as soon as you can...

**Nurmey** · 12-07-2008, 05:30 PM

The yeast's job isn't finished with the main fermentation. If allowed, the yeast will clean up it's waste (better tasting beer) and settle out to the bottom (clear beer).

It's your beer so do what you want but you ask what you should do and the answer is leave it at least three weeks before bottling. Personally, I don't think I've ever bottle beer that was under 4 weeks old and my average is probably 6 to 8 weeks.

Panzermann · 12-07-2008, 05:45 PM

Damn, you guy's are hardcore! haha

I appreciate all the advice, I really do. One remaining question is this, doesn't the fact that I syphon into my carboy reduce "sedement" in my beer?

I never recall seeing my family wait so long to bottle, but I have seen months upon months waiting to drink it though.

Pivzavod · 12-07-2008, 05:51 PM

I follow the triple 3 rule - 3 weeks in primary, 3 weeks in bottles and 3 weeks to enjoy the beer.

Panzermann · 12-07-2008, 06:03 PM

Should I take any readings with my Hydrometer?

sdhucks7 · 12-07-2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panzermann

Should I take any readings with my Hydrometer?

ABSOULTLY thats how you know it is finished fermenting. I TRY to wait at least 3weeks in primary then go to the keg for a couple of weeks before I drink. Just my opinion.

SD