Keg conditioning

[LovesIPA]

I've never kegged before. I've just started shopping and ordering stuff like kegs and lines. Today I'm going to look at a freezer I found on craigslist, if that gives you an idea of where I am.

I've made a few batches and have bottled conditioned and carbonated so far. When I start kegging I will force carbonate. My question is about conditioning. Is this still a necessary step? Or can I just rack from secondary into the keg, carbonate, and serve a day or two later?

I have an IPA that I just racked to secondary and dry-hopped last Sunday. Let's assume I have my keezer finished right now. Can I rack it to a keg next weekend and be enjoying a cold, carbonated IPA by this time next week?

Thanks!

 

[Safa]

I would say that green beer is still green beer, regardless of bottle/keg.

Also, carbonating in a keg takes longer than you think. Set-and-forget takes about 3 weeks, which is the best IMO. Boost carbing is labour intensive but has your beer ready in a very short amount of time, but the carb probably wont be perfect + your beer will still be green. That's my take on it anyway!

 

[Hopper77]

Never mind that set and forget stuff. I force carb at 40psi rolling it around on the floor for 30 minutes then vent the pressure in the keg and drop it down to 10 and let it sit overnight. Haven't had a problem yet. I generally keg my beers 10 days after pitching the yeast and each batch tastes better than the last. Sometimes ill go longer if its a big beer or I'm dry hopping

 

[cdslam]

The time frame for conditioning your beer in a keg or in bottles is the same. Will you be able to drink it the same day you force carbonate? Sure. But it will continue to age.

I usually try a sample the same day I force carbonate, then taste it every 3 days after that until I feel it's ready to drink a few (or more) back to back. This gives you a good idea on how your beer will age. However, I know others who refuse to taste until the proper conditioning time.

I also feel that force carbonating does not give beer the 'tongue' carbonation you feel as the beer goes across your tongue if you drink it on Day 1 of forced carbonation. I think the carbonated 'taste' occurs in 3-5 days, and the 'aged' taste occurs whenever your recipe (or FG) calls for.

Enjoy!