Fermentation time

[djgill1996]

I've got an American cream ale kit and it says I should let it ferment for about 4 to 6 days then wait 48 hours till I bottle it should I wait longer or would it be good it bottle it then?


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[prandlesc]

I'd suggest waiting 2 or 3 weeks. It'll give your beer time to settle down and develop better flavors.

 

[boydster]

Get a hydrometer. It will help you figure out when fermentation is complete. It is an invaluable tool to have for brewing.

 

[prohl84]

+1 to both pieces of advice. You can certainly bottle a brew much faster than 2 or 3 weeks but it's easier to let it go until it's completely done and cleared which will almost always be less than 3 weeks for ales so until you know what you're looking for I would recommend the 2-3wk timeframe. Yeast aren't subject to clocks or calendars so it's not always the same even with the same recipe. The hydrometer will tell you when it's really done and if it's also clear it's ready to bottle.

Like cooking- time frames are good guidelines but the steak is done when the thermometer says 135.

 

[yohoe]

Like cooking- time frames are good guidelines but the steak is done when the thermometer says 135.

I think you mean 125 and let it rest for 5 mins...130 = perfecto!