How long to bottle condition before going colder?

jdcoffman · Mar 4, 2007

I've got a batch of American Wheat that's been in the bottles for 2 weeks now, I'm wondering how long I should wait before taking it down from fermenting temperature to something a little lower?

I'm thinking this is probably about the right time... I drank 2 of them last night and they were pretty damn tasty! lol

anyway, I'd appreciate a little guidance here as I make room for the bottles. :ban:

Dark_Ale · Mar 4, 2007

As soon as the beer is carbonated enough for you

Willsellout · Mar 4, 2007

Dark_Ale said:
As soon as the beer is carbonated enough for you

Yup...I wait a week andtry a couple, if they are good then I throw em in, if not I wait another week and try again. It's a vicious and delicious cycle

Dan

Mikey · Mar 4, 2007

Wheat beers do not typically get 'cold conditioned'- no need.

BarleyWater · Mar 4, 2007

Wheats aren't like most beers. Most will be better after six months of aging, wheat will be neer the end of it's life by then. The great ting about wheats, is you can drink them young, you don't have to wait for all of the yeast to settle out because it doesn't, and it's supposed to be in there. I started cracking my last batch after 10 days in the bottle, now after 3 weeks, they are pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty good. I say stick em in the fridge now.

TheJadedDog · Mar 5, 2007

I don't know about wheat beers, but I keep all my ale at room temp for at least 3 weeks (I'll put a "sample" in the fridge on Sat. morning to taste in the evening just to see where it's at). Then I'll only refrigerate a few at a time (like a sixer) so the others keep conditioning at room temp. and just refill the fridge when necessary.

JHWK · Mar 6, 2007

I dont have too much experiance with this, but that I do is keep them at a regulated 70F-74F for 7 days, then I move them to an unregulated closet that stays at 72F-75F (at this point I pray they dont blow up in the closet) They stay in the closet about 3 weeks, then I have been slowly moving them to the fridge from there. If I have somthing I brewed for a special occasion they will stay in the closet longer, depending on room.