Hello :)

[neolithium]

I've just been lurking on the forum for a while soaking up information and since I started my first batch a little while ago with a Coopers DIY kit I figured I might as well register - I have a feeling I can easily become a regular on here. Always somewhat had the home brewing bug since my family has done it for generations but now that I'm in the Army and a household full of kids makes more sense to have a (relatively) money saving hobby, plus its one I can ignore while deployed!

Started out with the standard Coopers kit but fired in a Muntons brew enhancer (I love how the same thing from Coopers costs an extra 30%) which was a nice extra 500g DME and 500g Dextrose, pitched last Thursday, today was pulling off my Krausen Collar and I'm going to let this sit another 2(ish) weeks before reading it for a bottling.

I've seen quite a few youtube videos where guys are bottling them after 4-5 days but I figured I'd follow enough of the advice on here to leave it in the primary for a few weeks - plus it gives me extra time to go through a few cases of bottles to get them cleaned for when my beer starts being ready. I'm already looking forward to hitting up the local supply store here in Edmonton that'll hopefully carry some of the Better Bottle carboys (My job we move a lot so I don't feel like dealing with shattered Carboys) and have at least 2 batches on the go at any given time.

Weeeeeeeeeeeell enough rambling. Thanks everyone for the great info kicking around on here!

 

[Qhrumphf]

Cheers and welcome!

 

[ZebulonBrewer]

Welcome to the forum! Sounds like you did a good bit of research before your first batch, which is great (I did a few brewers best batches before this forum was recommended to me).

As to the 4-5 day ferment then bottle, that is definitely possible (depending on style!), and is possible if your system is really dialed in. What I mean by dialed in is yeast pitching rates/starters and above all, fermentation temperature.

When I started I had a lot of luck with 3 week fermentations. it was enough time that any flavor issues I had with my non-controlled fermentation temps was at least partially mitigated. I still don't have temperature control, but I know where in my apartment is good for what temperature range, and for most of my recent ales, I am happy with 12-14 days fermentation, and then bottling.

Happy Brewing!