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Irish Red Ale: Brew to glass in 18 days?

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Redwiggler

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The original gravity was 1.040, Final gravity was 1.005 after 14 days. I used washed Safle-05 and made a starter for it. Fermented @ 68 degrees. It tasted good when I kegged it, little malty but I think that is the style of the beer( my first ever red ale). I kegged it yesterday w/ 30 lbs psi. Planing on leaving it there for about 48 hrs. Then dropping it to 12 lbs and maybe do some shaking if necessary. It is and Northern Brewer All-grain recipe by the way.

So the question is: Am I rushing it? I would realy like to be enjoying a good Red Ale on Saturday when the Georgia Bullogs whip the LSU Tigers in the SEC championship! :D
 
I make an ale that is of similar gravity. I usually do 2 weeks in primary and then keg at 30psi for 24 hours and my family starts drinking it immediately. So, I think you'll be OK.

EDIT: Although, it does seem to taste a bit better if I give it a week or so more.
 
You will notice that the last beer out of the keg will be the best (assuming the keg makes it through the game) cause beer loves time in the keg. I brew quick beers like this all the time. About 9 days is my fastest. from grain to glass. You might want to shake that keg like 100-150 times while on the pressure. I put mine on 35psi, shake it till my arms are tired, then let it sit for 24 hours on the gas (make sure the beer is cold obviously) then turn it down purge the keg and set it where I want it. occasionally I run into a bit of chill haze but that doesn't effect the beer, just how purty it is.
 
If you're counting on that outcome, I think you're right in getting it kegged. I'd start drinking early...just kidding - good luck with the beer AND the game.
 
Since I've controlled my fermenting temps, it seems like I can drink a beer a lot sooner than the same beer fermented at room temp.
 
Apendecto said:
Since I've controlled my fermenting temps, it seems like I can drink a beer a lot sooner than the same beer fermented at room temp.

You can, some people on this forum are I'll informed. Any regular to low gravity beer does not need to age to improve, that whole mentality will keep you from becoming a great brewer.

The reason people are doing month long fermentations or bottle aging long periods is to age out off flavors cause by their inability to control fermentation temperatures among other things , pitch rate etc.
 
Redwiggler said:
[...]So the question is: Am I rushing it? I would realy like to be enjoying a good Red Ale on Saturday when the Georgia Bullogs whip the LSU Tigers in the SEC championship! :D

I'm sure that beer will be plenty ready for you to cry in...

Cheers! ;)
 
i'm at 17 days right now, only been kegged for 2, and had my first glass tonight (OG was 1.052), quite tasty. i know it will improve a bit when it conditions for another week or so, but i think 18 days is totally doable.
 
You can, some people on this forum are I'll informed. Any regular to low gravity beer does not need to age to improve, that whole mentality will keep you from becoming a great brewer.

The reason people are doing month long fermentations or bottle aging long periods is to age out off flavors cause by their inability to control fermentation temperatures among other things , pitch rate etc.

Or partially because bottle fermentation takes a bit of time to do its thing, esp at slightly lower than room temp.
 
Your beer will be fine.
I'm kegging a SNPA clone tonight, and will toast you during the game.
Go TIGERS!
Next up, your Georgia Dogs, then onto the National Championship Game. This is our year, everything is in place. ( Next year will be just as good)
 
Your beer will be fine.
I'm kegging a SNPA clone tonight, and will toast you during the game.
Go TIGERS!
Next up, your Georgia Dogs, then onto the National Championship Game. This is our year, everything is in place. ( Next year will be just as good)

Good luck! I hope it is a good game and even if yall do lose you will still play in the national title game. Cheers!!
 
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