Fermentation question

[theNOOB]

So, I put my own kit together and I am following a basic recipe which says I can have a 14 day primary with a 10 day aging period in the bottles. I altered the recipe a little by using all malt extract rather than cutting it with a little corn sugar. I've noticed that a lot of people on here believe that longer aging is necessary for a quality brew. Am I crazy to think this batch will be done in the timeframe I mentioned?

Thanks

 

[frazier]

Crazy? No. Misguided? Yes.

Ten days is not enough for bottle conditioning. Although, in spirit of full disclosure, I always try a bottle that early, just to see how it's doing. But three weeks seems to be about the minimum for adequate conditioning.

Also, don't shoehorn your beer into a timetable for the primary. It will be done when it's done, and not sooner. Don't rush it!

Cheers!

 

[gray7103]

You can use your hydrometer to determine when your beer is done fermenting. If you get consistent readings for 3 days in a row then the beer is done. The general rule on bottle conditioning is a minimum of 2 or 3 weeks.

 

[theNOOB]

Any tips on the most efficient way of extracting samples from a carboy with the tiny opening and all? Thanks for the advice so far!

 

[RCBIV]

Any tips on the most efficient way of extracting samples from a carboy with the tiny opening and all? Thanks for the advice so far!

A beer/wine thief or a turkey baster. Cleaned and sanitized, of course.