Fermenter question

[mtrogers14]

I brewed my first batch on Sept 29th. It seems as though the fermenting stopped a while ago. Now as I have no intention of doing a secondary fermentation how long ideally should I keep the batch in the fermenter before I bottle. This was an Irish red extract kit by the way.

 

[RobertRGeorge]

I keep it in there until the SG is stable for 3 days in a row.

 

[JordanThomas]

Probably 3 weeks from the time it was pitched.

Check out this thread: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/faq-please-read-before-asking-question-7909/

Just read it all, and you will be amazed at how much you learn! Good luck with your Irish Red

 

[billl]

There is no one-size-fits-all timeline.

The "rule" is that if the gravity doesn't change over 3 days, then it is safe to bottle/keg. That just means that all of the active fermentation is done and the yeast have stopped producing CO2. (bottling before that point can lead to exploding bottles.)

That doesn't mean you have to bottle immediately though. Yeast produce some additional byproducts as they ferment and will continue to clean those up once the sugar supply is exhausted. In a well controlled fermentation, the 3 days between measurements is often enough time for that. Sometimes it can take much longer though.

A good practice is to wait for the gravity to stabilize and then give the beer a taste. If it basically tastes like flat beer, you are ready to go. If there are strong off flavors, give it another week and then taste again.

 

[Trokair]

I use a 30 day rule. Figure 3 weeks to hit FG is typical and an extra week for the yeast to clean themselves up. I've done 60 days but I think that was overkill and seeing the fermenter sit there for so long was agonizing.

 

[jerrodm]

There's not really a fixed amount of time. Although you'll probably be happier with it if you leave it to condition for a little longer after it's done fermenting. My rule of thumb is to leave it on the primary for a week after it reaches its target gravity, but some people will leave it much longer. I think Revvy's rule of thumb for ales is to leave them in primary for a month, unless I'm mistaken?

 

[unionrdr]

I generally give mine 3-7 days after FG is reached to clean up & settle out clear. then package.