Bottle Conditioning

[flamingtop66]

I have seen some disturbing comments on flavor and carbonation after only 2-3 weeks of bottle conditioning. Patience is key, in my experience. Many have a rule of thumb they follow: 1 week primary, 2 weeks secondary and 3 weeks in the bottle. Drink. Apparently, a few are surprised that their brew is less than wonderful after 6 weeks.
Rule of thumb, is in reference to an olde English law which referred to the size of the stick you permitted to beat your wife with (no thicker than your thumb). Having a wife who would likely fight back, I have never trusted a rule of thumb.
Patience with home brew, and wife, have produced better results. I advise at least 1 month in the bottle. Taste after 4 weeks. If less than you hoped, wait another 2-4 weeks and taste again. Is still not completely satisfied let it rest for another 6 weeks. Brew another batch, buy some new beer to inspire you. Visit some craft pubs. You cannot rush it. It's like waiting on your wife to be ready to leave, you cannot force her or your brew to adhere to your personal schedule.
If after 2-3 months, you still hate it, don't throw away. Open it next summer again, you may find a pleasant surprise. Brew more beer. Eventually you will always have something drinkable. Even your wife may like it. Drop the stick. You will not win that battle.

 

[m3n00b]

Lol

 

[Melana]

funny stuff...

 

[unionrdr]

It depends on the beer as to how long carbing & conditioning will take. But 3-4 weeks for the average gravity ale is good. but rushing fridge time doesn't produce great results either. At least one week fridge time to allow any chill haze to form & settle out & get good head & carbonation. I've found that 2 weeks fridge time produces thicker head & longer lasting carbonation.
And 2-3 weeks primary time on average to get to FG & settle out clear or slightly misty. Patience is a key thing to learn in brewing.
And wife beating or fighting is def a no win situation. Communications is the key there. After some 37 years,I've learned that,like the Bible says,"let not the sun go down on thy wrath"!

 

[JBOGAN]

I think a lot of those post are people thinking a Tripel or Dark ale will be ready in the time frame of lets say a pale ale or Hefe.A month ago Ifinished the last bottle of a Dubbel I brewed nine months ago and I was kicking myself in the teeth because i did not save more.Aged perfectly and it was an extract kit.

 

[unionrdr]

You got it,jb. Darker/bigger bears have more malt & roasted grain flavors that need conditioning time that can take several weeks,even months. Whereas a pale ale,IPA,brown,that sort of thing,even Bitters,can take only 3-4 weeks to be ready for fridge time. The first batch of Whiskely i made took 10 weeks till it was ready for 2 weeks fridge time. My Burton ale took nearly as long,some 9 weeks.
So keep in mind what style you're making & when you want it ready to serve. Def have to plan ahead...