Big Beers...how much time?

[dunlapjc3]

Just finished putting a Trippel and an Imperial Stout into primary, (busy day!) The idea sounded good at the time, but I've got little in the pipeline and both of these beers being over 1.070 in OG got me to thinking...there's some aging to be needin' in these brews. Right?

What am I looking at fellas? I'm only doing a primary (probably a month,) then bottling. Was hoping for two months at the most. Wishful thinking?

Session brew is now on the calendar, regardless.

 

[iparks81]

the longer the better, 3 months total will get you to a point where they're tasting alright, but there is no replacement for time.

although I made an Imperial Blond with a 7.8 ABV and Im drinking that about a month and 1 week from brew day...I think aging plays a much bigger roll in beers with a lot of dark malts (correct me if I'm wrong) takes a longer time for the darker malts to mature.

 

[indigi]

It will take longer than bulk conditioning, but you can bottle them and let them condition at fermentation/room temp for a month or two before refrigerating them. Should have the same effect overall, just make sure fermentation is complete. I'd also recommend crash cooling before bottling so you don't have a thick layer of yeast in the bottles.

 

[avidhomebrewer]

I would go longer than 3 months for both batches. 2 months for both, imo, is wishful thinking. They will only continue to improve with age; for both, 6 months is a starting point. You will only be rewarded with a better beer the longer you wait.

 

[Calder]

1.070 is not that big. I have a lot of Pale Ales that run around 1.060+ and are ready for drinking around 6 weeks.

Bottle at 4 weeks, and start drinking once carb'd. The beers should be fine.

Yes they should improve with time, and when you are cracking the last bottle and tell yourself that you should have waited ...... You will just have to make some more.

 

[Houblon]

over 1.070 in OG got me to thinking...there's some aging to be needin' in these brews. .

After primary is done, lager as cold as you can for 3-4wks. I do a 1.076-78 beer in 5wks grains to glass using 14 days primary - 21days lagering.

But and this is important, I know the beer is done in 14 days before racking to secondary, this is from lots of experience with that yeast(s)/recipe.
LINK

.I think aging plays a much bigger roll in beers with a lot of dark malts (correct me if I'm wrong) takes a longer time for the darker malts to mature.

Thats correct, dark malts take time to mellow.

 

[strat_thru_marshall]

Put one case of bottles in the back of your closet and forget about it.

Drink the other case after it carbs up and have self control to forget about the 2nd case. Make another batch.

In 6 months or so dig that case out and be rewarded with something really great!

 

[Revvy]

In 6 months or so dig that case out and be rewarded with something really great!

And that's the minimum I would go for a tripel, I know brewers who take a year on theirs.

Lazy llama has this great diagram that helps figure out how long beers need.

 

[ajf]

I've done a number of IPA's with an OG of 1.075. 3 weeks in primary, and 5 weeks in the bottles, and they were ready for drinking.
I've also done some barley wines with and OG > 1.100. 2 weeks primary, 4 months secondary, and then wait for at least 12 months after bottling before they tasted good.

-a.

 

[Jebu1788]

I was hoping someone would post that picture, Revvy!

 

[RM-MN]

For under $20 you can get another fermenting bucket and start a beer that will be drinkable much sooner so it won't be so painful waiting for the big beers.

 

[david_42]

I know one homebrewer who can make an 11% RIS from grain to tap in 8 days. He is very good. Personally, my rule is 1 month for 5% and another month per % ABV over. That's 6 months for 10%.

 

[eager_brewer]

hmm after reading this thread perhaps that is why my Double Bastard Clone (OG of 1.110) Did not taste great after 2 weeks in primary and 1 week in secondary and 2 keg weeks. That's why I took Revvs advice and put them both back in my closet. See you in the spring!

 

[dunlapjc3]

thanks a bunch for all the advice. I'm new to brewing and I love getting all the beer theory I can get my hands on. Lazy Llama's diagram was very informative.

I'm going to primary for a month, the bottle condition for 4-5 weeks. I'll be traveling during the holidays, so I won't be tempted to crack open a few for "scientific taste evaluation." I'll throw a case of each in the garage, and see how they turn out in the spring.

Before I go, just so I have this right: low O.G = less time and high OG = more time;
pale < dark.