Ok so a question for this brew.
I posted the other day about a small hop mishap. Wrong amounts from my LHBS and I didn't double check before the first addition. Other than the hops, I followed the extract recipe. Here is what ended up being my hop schedule.
.9 oz Cent. (45 m)
.3 oz Cent (20 m)
.25 oz Casc (10 m)
.3 oz Cent (5 m)
.25 oz Cent (5 m)
Here are my questions:
1) I brewed on 7/5. What are the odds of having it ready by 7/29? I normally like to try and do two weeks in primary, two weeks in secondary, 11-14 days in bottles before cracking any open. But from what I'm reading (and seeing), this beer fermented fast! I plan to take a gravity reading on Tuesday and Wednesday and see what I get. If I can rack over after one week, that gives me about a week in secondary, and 11 days in the bottle to carbonate. Am I pushing my luck?
2) I'm considering adding some lemon (or orange) zest to secondary. I figured I may as well get adventurous considering the hop bill was already eff'd. Any thoughts on this? I'm thinking for more of an aromatic than a flavor. Something subtle. If I do it, I'd be sure to only get zest and no pith, and I'd soak in vodka overnight.
Thanks!