Basic Steps with Beer Brewing

[baileybrewer]

I'm a first time beer brewer and I'm confused about the basic steps of brewing before bottling.

The instructions that came with my Coopers IPA kit tell me that my beer is read to bottle after about 7 days and after the SG has been steady for a couple of days. But there are many forums online that say fermentation takes several weeks.

Should I follow the instructions on my kit or listen to other, more experienced beer brewers?

 

[Kingbogart]

As the directions say, primary fermentation is generally complete between 7-10 days. Once the SG has been stable for about 3 days it's safe to assume that fermentation is complete and you can move to bottling. Leaving the beer for more time can give the yeast time to clean up any messes they may have created during the fermentation and leave you with a cleaner tasting beer. Many people will say to leave it for at least two or three weeks, but after stabilization of SG it's really up to you.

 

[geoffm33]

Listen to other, more experienced brewers.

You DO want to wait until FG has been steady for a couple of days.

Generally: Once you pitch yeast, let it sit for 2 to 3 weeks then check your gravity. If it is at or near your estimated final gravity then wait a couple days and check again. If it's the same, you can bottle. If it is lower, then you will want to wait and check again until it is stable.

Many yeast strains can ferment quickly and get to FG in a few days. But you still want to wait a few weeks so that the yeast can finish their jobs and clean up and settle out.

 

[MindenMan]

I usually let my fermenter go for a month. I also ferment on the cool side of the yeast's range, and I cold crash for at least another week after that. So, my beers set around for at least 5 weeks before bottling, and I must be doing something right, as I recently won a competition using the above method.

 

[geoffm33]

I usually let my fermenter go for a month. I also ferment on the cool side of the yeast's range, and I cold crash for at least another week after that. So, my beers set around for at least 5 weeks before bottling, and I must be doing something right, as I recently won a competition using the above method.

And as hard as this may seem to do for a first time brewer (waiting that long to taste your product) it gets easier with time.

The more you brew, the longer your pipeline of beer grows. The easier it is to find the patience to wait until it's ready

 

[BigFloyd]

I'm a first time beer brewer and I'm confused about the basic steps of brewing before bottling.

The instructions that came with my Coopers IPA kit tell me that my beer is read to bottle after about 7 days and after the SG has been steady for a couple of days. But there are many forums online that say fermentation takes several weeks.

Should I follow the instructions on my kit or listen to other, more experienced beer brewers?

Those instructions are influenced by marketing considerations as much as they are good brewing principles. They are often seriously lacking and sometimes horribly wrong on subjects like pitch/ferment temps, time periods and bottle conditioning.

Want the basics for making good beer? Pitch ale yeast into wort that is in the lower 60's. Maintain the fermentation temp in the mid-60's (beer temp, not air). Leave it alone for at least two weeks, preferably three before you consider bottling. Bottle condition for at least 3 weeks at 70-75*F then refrigerate 3+ days before drinking.