Help for a first time brewer please

[rynoryan]

I need help on when to bottle my beer. I have read the "Joy of home brewing" and "how to brew". They are slightly contradicting. One says not to wait longer than two weeks because the yeast break down and can cause off flavors. The other says not to bottle until 2-3 weeks because fermentation can continue. Please experienced brewers help. Thank you in advance

 

[MotorcycleMatt]

Autolysis is not a concern for home brewers. Wait 3 weeks and bottle

 

[rynoryan]

Autolysis is not a concern for home brewers. Wait 3 weeks and bottle

Thank you very much

 

[brewinchef_fairfax]

Get a bottling bucket if you don't have one. After 2 or 3 weeks in primary you should be good to go. Then allow 3 weeks for bottle conditioning.

 

[aiptasia]

2-3 weeks is conventional wisdom for low to mid gravity ales fermented in the 60 degree range. The best answer is to use a hydrometer and take samples of your beer with a wine thief. Measure the specific gravity after you've noticed fermentation beginning to slow down and when the gravity readings are the same for 2-3 days in a row, the primary fermentation has completed. The beer will benefit from a "diacetyl rest" of one more additional week on the yeast, as more basic fusel alcohols will be consumed by the yeast into more complex (and flavorful) alcohols.

Higher gravity beers, such as those with an original gravity (OG) over 1.070, can take longer to ferment. Cooler temperatures and lager style yeasts/techniques can also require longer fermentation times.

 

[rynoryan]

Thank you guys. Your brewing geniuses. I think this info has solved my problem.

 

[kcbrewerguy]

Good summary aiptasia.

You can leave a standard gravity ale sitting on the yeast cake for 4-5 weeks and you won't get any off flavors from autolysis. So don't worry if you don't get to bottling right away.... just don't wait too long because you will need some health yeast left in suspension to carbonate your beer.