Bottling tomorrow

[tahoetavern]

Will putting my primary in the freezer help clean up my beer? Any tips and tricks?

 

[MichaelBrock]

This process is called cold crashing. That said, the freezer is probably too cold as it will freeze the beer (or at least the water in the beer). A quick search on cold crashing will bring up many threads and articles on it. Basically, it is the process of lowering your beer to near freezing for a day to several weeks to help clarify it before bottling/kegging. The colder temperature hastens the settling of particles in the beer. For beers that should be clear I usually do a cold crash of a week.

 

[flars]

Cold crashing won't clean up your beer. The yeast do the clean up work with sufficient time in primary fermentation. The amount of time needed for cold crashing, to clear a beer, in a freezer will most likely turn the beer into a large beersicle. Alternative would be racking to a secondary vessel for a week or two to settle the sediment. Rack from just above the yeast layer of the primary.

 

[tahoetavern]

I have read about people using filters when they transfer to the bottling bucket. Waste of time, or worth trying?

 

[dozer5454]

If cold crashing is your thing I would tell you to check out all the posts on this site and make the choice yourself. I would also recommend against the freezer. You want it cold but don't want the Popsicle effect. As to the filters. I have seen people use them when transferring into a keg. If your doing an IPA I would recommend you up your hops as the filter may take out some of the bitterness. I don't personally go crazy about clearing my beers. If there is a bit of haze but people still want to drink it, I'm a happy man.

 

[tahoetavern]

Well I'm finished bottling.... I only got 46 12oz. Bottles from a 5 gal batch. I was expecting to get closer to 60. How many do you get???

 

[kaconga]

Well I'm finished bottling.... I only got 46 12oz. Bottles from a 5 gal batch. I was expecting to get closer to 60. How many do you get???

5 gallons should net about 53 - 12 oz bottles. I never seem to get more than 52 though. My average is 50. Anything over 48 and I am happy.

 

[tahoetavern]

I probably had about 12oz at the bottom of my primary. I filled pretty consistently, using a samuel Adams as a reference......

 

[boydster]

Congrats, tahoetavern! I usually shoot for 2 cases (48 12oz bottles) and wind up with a couple extra. 46 is not bad, don't sweat it. With respect to filtering, I haven't done that but I can tell you that you can get a very clear beer without filtering. Just give it the 3 weeks to carb up in the bottles and then 5-7 days of fridge time before you open a bottle. When you are ready to open one, pour carefully into a glass. Clear beer.

I really feel like pouring a beer now.

 

[biggmatt]

I have read about people using filters when they transfer to the bottling bucket. Waste of time, or worth trying?

I don't do it. It will make your beer clearer but you lose flavor and nutrients.

 

[biggmatt]

Well I'm finished bottling.... I only got 46 12oz. Bottles from a 5 gal batch. I was expecting to get closer to 60. How many do you get???

I always leave extra beer on top of the lees. Usually only have 4 1/3 or 4 1/2 gallons left at bottling. I usually get 42 to 46.

 

[tahoetavern]

sweet, I was worried that I had over filled all my bottles. Now I just have to finish my wort chiller and stir plate, so I'm better prepared for my second batch ( Belgian trippel) can't wait!!!

 

[flars]

I probably had about 12oz at the bottom of my primary. I filled pretty consistently, using a samuel Adams as a reference......

Headspace will be consistent for any size bottle if you use a bottling wand. Bottling will also take less time with the wand.