Hello all, just brewed my first beer a couple weeks ago. It was a Brewer's Best IPA kit. Everything went smoothly, got it into the 6.5 glass carboy fine after the boil, ran into an unexpected foam over that actually blew the lid off the air lock but managed to handle it alright.. That was really the only 'hiccup' along the way so far. Unfortunately I found out about blow off hoses AFTER mine happened... But now I know for next time
As for my question, the beer has been fermenting since the 17th, gradually slowing bit by bit each day. The OG was 1.060 (Supposed to be between 1.061-1.065) and last Thursday or Friday I took a reading and it was at 1.016 (FG is supposed to be 1.014-1.017) so it was close to perfect... However it wasn't done fermenting. I've been reading on here and most people prefer or suggest not doing a secondary, so I decided to go that route and just leave it in the primary until bottling. As of today, the bubbles in the air lock are coming once every minute or so. I'd like your guys' suggestions on when to move onto bottling. I've read varying suggestions on when is a good time to bottle... The directions that came with the kit say within 4-6 days the bubbling will slow down until there will be no more C02 being released, then after fermentation is complete (no bubbles for 48 hours) record your FG and seems they suggest bottling at that point. However, I've read many methods on here that suggest otherwise. I don't want to create bottle bombs with my first brew, but I don't want to wait too long either. What's a good time to ferment with an IPA? And what are your takes on the 48 hours with no bubbles, is that a reasonable time to move to bottling?
If you guys need any more info let me know, I've been keeping notes along the way just to reference anything I need to. After taking a reading last week I sampled the beer and it seems to be coming along well! I'm excited to try the finished product, but also realize I have at least 2-3 weeks yet, so I'm trying to be patient. The smell of the IPA from the air lock does not help!
I appreciate the help in advance, and sorry for typing up a book-just trying to be thorough. The advice is appreciated, hope to learn much more than I already have and make this a permanent hobby! Prost!
As for my question, the beer has been fermenting since the 17th, gradually slowing bit by bit each day. The OG was 1.060 (Supposed to be between 1.061-1.065) and last Thursday or Friday I took a reading and it was at 1.016 (FG is supposed to be 1.014-1.017) so it was close to perfect... However it wasn't done fermenting. I've been reading on here and most people prefer or suggest not doing a secondary, so I decided to go that route and just leave it in the primary until bottling. As of today, the bubbles in the air lock are coming once every minute or so. I'd like your guys' suggestions on when to move onto bottling. I've read varying suggestions on when is a good time to bottle... The directions that came with the kit say within 4-6 days the bubbling will slow down until there will be no more C02 being released, then after fermentation is complete (no bubbles for 48 hours) record your FG and seems they suggest bottling at that point. However, I've read many methods on here that suggest otherwise. I don't want to create bottle bombs with my first brew, but I don't want to wait too long either. What's a good time to ferment with an IPA? And what are your takes on the 48 hours with no bubbles, is that a reasonable time to move to bottling?
If you guys need any more info let me know, I've been keeping notes along the way just to reference anything I need to. After taking a reading last week I sampled the beer and it seems to be coming along well! I'm excited to try the finished product, but also realize I have at least 2-3 weeks yet, so I'm trying to be patient. The smell of the IPA from the air lock does not help!
I appreciate the help in advance, and sorry for typing up a book-just trying to be thorough. The advice is appreciated, hope to learn much more than I already have and make this a permanent hobby! Prost!