How long do your beers bottle condition?

[Happydad1689]

3 weeks ago I bottled my second brew, an ipa with a ton of hops. A week ago it was two sweet and harsh. So I waited...... Now, Wow, this thing is like a whole new beer!

Is every beer different? How long do you bottle condition?

 

[Wolfbayte]

Every beer is different. More complex beers take longer to condition. Beers with Higher IBU, Higher Alcohol, or complex flavors may take longer to mellow and accentuate certain notes. Even a simple beer will change with age. More often than not, it leads to a pleasant surprise.

I try not to taste any until they've had 4 weeks. It's hard to be that patient, but once you get a pipeline, it gets easier.

RDWHAHB (but not before its time)

 

[ChelisHubby]

Wolf bayte is right every beer is different, darker and higher alc beers need more time in general. I don't do IPAs but in general the hops will fade with time so drink them sooner rather than later!

 

[joshesmusica]

yes to the above. bigger beers take time. and although the hops flavor and aroma will diminish with time. you should still be able to wait 4 weeks on a big beer (so lots of hops that need time to meld). Stone gives a best before date according to when they feel the hops will begin to diminish. check out these dates:

http://www.stonebrewing.com/freshbeer/

 

[unionrdr]

Well, a regular IPA isn't a big beer, merely because of the higher hop levels. So 3-4 weeks in the bottles, depending on when/how fast they actually mature & are ready for a week fridge time. My whiskley stout & Burton ales needed up to 10 weeks at room temp to meld & mature. IPA's are the polar opposite.