Brewed up Lakewalk Pale Ale on Friday, 11/13 (if superstitious, you should probably stop reading ). Day 4 of primary almost complete with a big slowdown in airlock activity (a somewhat subjective measure, I know). Heading out of town for a week on Monday, 11/23 (day 10). Have some dryhopping to do still. After reading some of the latest on dryhopping, I think I have several options. Would you:
1) dryhop starting soon (day5 or 6) for a short period (til day 9), then remove and let sit till I get home after Turkey Day?
2) dryhop on day 10 just prior to leaving for a longer period (til day 17)
3) dryhop after coming home on day 17 and have to wait that much longer for my delicious beer
My assumption is that fermentation really will be done in pretty short order (next day or three). I can verify of course, but based on experience, OG, yeast (US-05), etc I feel pretty good about this. Some of the latest I've read on dryhopping suggests that starting it during the last portion of primary fermentation and leaving only for a few days actually yields great results. Or I could be just trying to rush things.
1) dryhop starting soon (day5 or 6) for a short period (til day 9), then remove and let sit till I get home after Turkey Day?
2) dryhop on day 10 just prior to leaving for a longer period (til day 17)
3) dryhop after coming home on day 17 and have to wait that much longer for my delicious beer
My assumption is that fermentation really will be done in pretty short order (next day or three). I can verify of course, but based on experience, OG, yeast (US-05), etc I feel pretty good about this. Some of the latest I've read on dryhopping suggests that starting it during the last portion of primary fermentation and leaving only for a few days actually yields great results. Or I could be just trying to rush things.