Bottle Conditioning

[jrfieldsiii]

Just bottled my first batch a week ago. Is there a way to tell if the bottles are carbonating without popping the top?? Thanks! I'm a newbie.

 

[unionrdr]

Not really,no. but trust me,wait two more weeks before fridging a couple for 5 days. Getting co2 into solution isn't a quick process. But that amount of time will give you a better idea of the beer's potential at that point.

 

[fall-line]

Not really, now that they are all in bottles. Some people will build a pressure gauge into a bottle cap and use that on one bottle as an indication of how the batch is doing. Others will use one plastic PET bottle among the batch of glass to allow for the 'squeeze test'. The bottom line though is that patience is key. It'll take at least 2-3 weeks to carb up the bottles in most cases, and even if they are carbonated earlier, you'll still want to allow the full time for them to age and condition.

If you are new to brewing and curious, there is nothing wrong with popping one at a week to see how it is coming along. I did this on my first couple of batches to satisfy my curiosity. Think of it as an educational experience though, as the beer will not be ready for prime time.

Cheers!

 

[homebrewdad]

If you mixed the right amount of sugar into the batch, and you don't have the beer too cold, they are carbing. This is pretty much an idiot proof process - yeast eat sugar and create CO2 and alcohol. Simple as that.

Three weeks at 70 degrees is the baseline for typical gravity beers. Higher gravity or cooler temps can take longer.

Resist the urge to pop a top and leave that beer alone. You'll be glad that you did.

 

[el_horno]

I agree, let condition for at least three weeks, and then only refrigerate what you plan on drinking at that time. they will get better the longer you allow them to sit, to an extent of course.

 

[Revvy]

You wait for a minimum of 3 weeks if the beer is normal gravity and has been about 70 degrees or above, chill a couple (preferably from seperate cases) for about 48 hours, and give them a try. If they're both carbed they're all probably ready...if only one is, then there's probably about a week more to go.

 

[Daniel1980]

I was unsuccessful at waiting the three weeks on my first batch.. I did have about 12 beers make it to the two and a half week mark. I will definitely be waiting for the batch I have now. The difference was pretty drastic between the first one I tried and the last one. Just my noob two cents.

 

[jrfieldsiii]

Thanks for the help guys! I'm going to have to practice my patience