Beer fermenting - now I ask questions :|

[SudsyPaul]

So now that I've started making my beer, I figure now is a good time to start asking questions

Here's what I'm making: http://www.defalcowines.com/InstructionSheets/Erics Tax Evasion Lager.pdf
Not sure why it's called lager, since it's an ale... but whatever. I just wanted something simple that wasn't "full kit" for my first attempt at making beer (made some with my dad, 20ish years ago)

The recipe doesn't specify a yeast, but I used Windsor Ale (LHBS recommendation) yeast and followed the instructions on the Danstar datasheet for the yeast (rehydrate for 15min before pitching).

With the kit I bought from the LHBS, there were instructions, but they seemed REALLY generic, and I dislike generic instructions when there's a lot of room for error. Example, the pdf recipe, above, shows 1 fermentation vs. generic instructions say to do 2.

So... now that my beer is fermenting, here are some questions:

1. Is it worth doing a second fermentation?
2. How much priming sugar should I use? (priming in a bucket vs. in bottle) (bought corn sugar from LHBS)
3. How long in bottle for carbonation? (LHBS said 7-10 days, internet says 3+ weeks)
4. How long to wait until I check the gravity, again? (it was 1.040 at fermentation)

I've gotten some answers to my questions from other threads on here, but I figured I would combine everything in 1 area.

Thanks!

 

[inhousebrew]

1. Is it worth doing a second fermentation?
Probably not. If you don't do a secondary vessel just be careful when racking your beer to leave all the trub behind. It's ok to leave some beer down there. It will be hard, but let it go.

2. How much priming sugar should I use? (priming in a bucket vs. in bottle) (bought corn sugar from LHBS)
http://www.northernbrewer.com/priming-sugar-calculator/

3. How long in bottle for carbonation? (LHBS said 7-10 days, internet says 3+ weeks)
Depends on temp of the bottles, ABV, yeast health, ect. You can fill one plastic soda bottle, crunch it up a bunch and then as it carbonates the CO2 will puff up the bottle. A cool trick to watch so you know your beer is carbonated.

4. How long to wait until I check the gravity, again? (it was 1.040 at fermentation)
Give it two to three weeks before even opening it. It will likely be done before, but extra time doesn't hurt. You can probably bottle at this point if it is clear.

 

[DocScott]

1. Not worth secondary on this brew. Once your brew requires fruit or oak additions, then worry about secondaries.

2. Look up a priming calculator online. Amount of priming sugar depends on brew type, volume, and temp at bottling. You'll probably use around 4oz of sugar for a 5 gallon batch, but again, it depends.

3. 3 weeks at least in bottles stored at 70*F. You need to prime in the bottles - search revvy's bottling thread for how to do this.

4. Check your gravity again in 2-3 weeks. Check again after another 3 days. If its the same, ok to package.

 

[granpooba19]

Well,
1. The logic nowadays says that a secondary is not necessary anymore.
2. Average I believe it is about 1oz of priming sugar per gallon. So for a 5 gallon batch, just use the packet of sugar you bought from your LHSB (I'm assuming it is 5oz of sugar because that is what my LHBS sells).
3. 7-10 days might be drinkable after bottling. Three weeks is the minimum recommended. It will continue to get better for a few weeks after that. Three weeks is the minimum you should wait.
4. 1.040 is pretty low for an OG...there are threads from Revvy that show why your OG is wrong (assuming you did an extract)...but if you measure once every 2 or 3 days for a bit and the FG is stable, it's done fermenting.

 

[SudsyPaul]

thanks all.

I'm reading more and more about the Danstar Windsor Ale yeast, and it says on their site that the fermentation could be complete as fast as 3 days. That seems outrageous, no?

Based on the calculator, I should be using about .6 cup of corn sugar (it's 5 imp. gallons)

When you say that the bottles should be stored at 70F, is 66F ok? I have no real way to get the bottles any warmer than 66 other than introducing them into the living space in my house, and my wife won't be keen on that

 

[twistr25]

3 days is certainly possible, but the yeast need the extra time to clean up the byproducts that are released while creating alcohol. Trust this forum, leave it for at least two weeks before checking the gravity, three if you can stand it. The beer will be better with the extra time.

.6 cups or 4.2oz sounds about right. Boil some water, add the corn sugar, then let it cool down to the temp of the beer (I put it in the freezer with some sanitized foil over it), add to your bottling bucket and rack on top of it.

66F will be ok, but it may take a bit longer to carb, so I'd expect to wait three weeks after bottling for it to condition and carb. Then give it 48 hours in the fridge and enjoy!

 

[SudsyPaul]

I'll wait 3 weeks, then. If it makes for a better beer, I will fight every urge I have in my body, and wait the extra week :|

I might be able to sneak a plastic bin out into the finished area of the basement without my wife even noticing Should be a good 69F out there.

On another note... what's a good beer that could use molasses as a priming sugar? I could drink molasses by the gallon, and want to use it as a priming sugar, but my wife hates it, so it'll have to be for a small personal batch.

 

[krackin]

I'd say try one or two in 2 weeks for a comparison to the 3 weeks. These are things you need to experience on your own. It is a safe bet that what you are told by experienced brewers is exactly right but there is also nothing wrong with building your own personal database of experience.

 

[SudsyPaul]

I was referring to 3 weeks for the fermentation bucket, but I'll definitely try one after 2 weeks in bottle, then 3 weeks, then 4, 5, 6... a lot of drinking is going to happen

 

[DrunkleJon]

Enjoy. We all do. And welcome

 

[SudsyPaul]

Thanks again for the help. I bottled everything today. Made 17 600ml bottles and 34 341ml bottles FG was 1.012, so the beer is about 4.2% - not too shabby.

My wife and I did a taste test, and we were both pleasantly surprised. It tastes pretty damn good for something so simple. I'm anxious to make something else, but gotta manage my time wisely with a newborn in the house

 

[SudsyPaul]

Week 1 of bottling. The beer is barely carbonated. I think I may have gone too far on the cautious side with the priming sugar. It's not the end of the world if it's under-carbonated, it's still pretty good.

 

[DrunkleJon]

With 1 week that can happen. Give it another week or two. Cool for a couple days before opening to help the CO2 dissolve. And great attitude.

 

[rhinoceroceros]

For your first brew i would recommend trying one beer a week after, then one a week after that, and a week after that it will probably good. This is what I did, and still do on occasion. I like to see what my beer is doing at every stage, and it is good personal experience.
That being said, good beer comes to those who wait, so if you do try it early, make sure to just do one at a time so you don't end up drinking all of your beer before it has peaked.

 

[SudsyPaul]

Oh yeah... I'm not in a rush, I'm just tasting to learn the stages. I'm pretty sure I put too little priming sugar for my batch, but I'm not heart-broken about it

I think it might take an extra week or two for the bottles to carbonate fully, since the basement area they're in is about 68F. I can't find anywhere in my basement that's 70+, so 68 will have to do.

It's been neat to taste the beer at each gravity reading and then before bottling, and after 1 week. Can't wait to see it evolve more I still have several beers from local craft places, so I don't need to rely on what I made, yet.

 

[SudsyPaul]

Oh, also... I put the beer in the fridge on Wednesday, after bottling on Saturday night... so it only had like 4 days of carbonation before I crashed it, so I'm really not concerned about that first beer. Next weekend's beer is on Sunday, so it'll have an extra 10 days to carb before I get the next sample

 

[rhinoceroceros]

Also remember to give it enough time in the fridge. The co2 will more readily go into solution when it's cold and you want to make sure to give it enough time to do that