How long until I can try my beer?

[McGlothan]

I bottled my first IPA ten days ago. What is the standard time frame one usually waits to sample the first beer? My instructions in the kit I used says 1-2 weeks in the bottle. I have really been trying to be patient but I would like to sample one and see how it is. This is my first homebrew EVER so I am anxious. Im sure this will get easier when I have a rotation going. Thanks for the input

 

[Lunchtime]

Drink one now, it's good to taste as you go. I usually use my extras to taste test at 2 and 3 weeks.

 

[carltjones]

Drink one now, it's good to taste as you go. I usually use my extras to taste test at 2 and 3 weeks.

Agree.

 

[McGlothan]

Im a newbie at this but have been very by the book. I will try one and see how it is. What is usually the amount of time before a beer, double ipa specifically, is ready?

 

[McGlothan]

I have to admit "drink one now" is what I was hoping for. Cheers

 

[carltjones]

Im a newbie at this but have been very by the book. I will try one and see how it is. What is usually the amount of time before a beer, double ipa specifically, is ready?

I give my ipa's about 6 weeks total (includes 2 weeks in bottle/keg) before serving. Iipa's get about 8-10 weeks until serving. Each recipe will be different. Experiment and sample along the way.

 

[Airplanedoc]

I try to let mine go 2-3 weeks, before major drinking. I always keep a couple bottles out for samples AKA quality inspection. You know to check the color, clarity, carbonation etc. They usually get drank 1/week

 

[Brewnoob1]

I think new brewers benefit from tasting along the way. I personally tasted a bottled brew at the 3, 5, 10, 14, 21, type of time frame. After the first 6 or so, I let the rest go and actually forgot about them for about 2 months. They are night and day from then until now. They are now about 5 months old and I'm down to less than a dozen left. It was a learning experience for me. Time really does help the beer. But again, every newbie should try them at difference stages and take notes of flavor changes. Aging is a wonderful thing.

 

[JonM]

Last night I had the second to last bottle from a half-batch of IPA I made in October. It was awesome due to the fact that it sat around for more than two months.

Sample some now, but be sure to keep a whole bunch untouched for a couple months. You'll be amazed at how much beers change over time and how good they can become with a little aging. Cheers!

 

[ValleyBrew]

All good advice above, but keep in mind, if you let an IPA go too long, you will start to lose some of that beautiful hop flavor/aroma. Drinking at various stages helps you figure out when your beer will peak!!