More to it than I thought.

[Murphys_Law]

Question:

On my last batch of beer that I bottled 2 days ago I tasted the beer and it was really good but flat of course. How long does it take beer to carb in the bottle at a temp around 74?

Thanks!

-Altrez

I usually drink one at 1 week and 1 at 2 weeks and say it's because I want to see the difference but the real reason is I am impatient. I find 3 weeks is when it's really ready and even then - more times than not, a few more weeks help "round out" the beer. At least for me.

For small batches I may drink 1 at 2 weeks but would wait 3 weeks at least until I count on them being ready.

Don't start drinking too soon or you'll be out before the beer is (or was) ready to drink.

 

[kh54s10]

I have found that most have some carbonation at 2 weeks, some are fully carbonated and some take longer. But IMO, they have all tasted better at 3 weeks or longer. A high alcohol or dark malty beer will be better with some aging. Some really big beers might take a year or more of aging. A hoppy beer or IPA will be best if drunk young, the hop flavor and aroma will fade.

 

[Horseshoot]

Is that a banjo you are pickin on? From the looks of the pic you are out RVin somewhere.



-Altrez

It is. We were camping at a bluegrass festival.

Mike

 

[Horseshoot]

Has anyone considered that all the ribbing this guy is taking is contributing to his insistence on pissing off cash in the name of more brew tech? Like he's doing it out of spite?

Regardless, this is the most interesting thread I've read in a while and I admire your enthusiasm Altrez. I also admire your cash flow (OK...and I'm slightly jealous).

I guess it's his cash. he can do with it what he wants. And, spending cash does stimulate the economy. HAHA!

But, seriously, I like Altrez. And, was just trying to get him to see that all the gadgets in the world won't make better beer.

Mike

 

[Horseshoot]

You take a lot of ribbing- and I love that about you!
I'm glad that the beer is ok, and I know you'll be making great beer in no time.

I started with a Beer Machine 2000, quite a while ago (well, 16 years I guess duh!), and that beer was awful.

It takes persistence, and lots of reading, and some support to learn to make great beer. I found this forum just over 10 years ago, and while I blame them all for the huge cash outlay they encouraged me to spend- I never left.

You can make great beer with a pot and a bucket. You can make great beer with a $3000 all electric HERMS as well. And you can make terrible beer with both. The key is knowledge. Even though you're getting a lot of grief, you've got a lot of good advice as well.

The beer will get better with practice. The fact that you can make us all smile and laugh during the process has been fun- thank you for that!

I LOVE this post. Indeed, he has taken a lot of ribbing, with grace. That is why I love the guy, too.

Mike

 

[Horseshoot]

2-3 weeks to fully carb

It depends on the beer, of course. But, in general, I would agree with this.

20 years ago, when I made my first batches of beer (extract), I would get impatient. I'd drink one bottle every other day, or so (testing the carb level... That is what I always told myself!) By the time the beer was carbed and matured just right, well over half of my beer would be gone! I finally learned from that. Don't get me wrong.... I do occasionally still drink a beer before it is "ready", but not like I did back in those days.

BTW, the same can be said for kegging. I have found it much better to force carb using the "set and forget" method, than any of the "burst carb" methods. Not that some haven't come up with really good ways to "burst carb", and get good carbonation. I have tried them, and they work. It is just, in my opinion, the extra time needed for "set and forget" simply gives time for the beer to mature.

One last thing: Yeast will settle to the bottom of the bottle. You may know this, but I thought I'd throw it out there. Make sure your bottles sit on their bottoms, rather than their sides. Then, pour slowly (avoid glug-glug) and leave a bit of beer on the bottom with the yeast. I find watching the shoulder of the bottle during the pour lets me see when I need to stop.

Mike

 

[Altrez]

It is. We were camping at a bluegrass festival.

Mike

You are missing out on Romp over here in Owensboro brother. Huge bluegrass concert!

http://www.rompfest.com/

You need to come check out the new bluegrass museum when it opens!

http://www.bluegrassmuseum.org/



-Altrez

 

[Horseshoot]

You are missing out on Romp over here in Owensboro brother. Huge bluegrass concert!

http://www.rompfest.com/

You need to come check out the new bluegrass museum when it opens!

http://www.bluegrassmuseum.org/



-Altrez

I have been to Bluegrass Festivals all over the state of Kentucky. But I haven't been to that one. Looks fun!

Mike

 

[PADave]

But, seriously, I like Altrez. And, was just trying to get him to see that all the gadgets in the world won't make better beer.

I second this. Sometimes we might seem harsh, but just trying to help the guy out. I'd like to have a few homebrews with Altrez.

 

[Altrez]

I second this. Sometimes we might seem harsh, but just trying to help the guy out. I'd like to have a few homebrews with Altrez.

We will one day

-Altrez

 

[Altrez]

Update:

I have my first home brew that I kegged in the fridge chilling. I am really excited about it. There is a feeling of accomplishment I get from seeing it sitting in there.

-Altrez

 

[Horseshoot]

Can't wait to hear about it! I've been sampling our cream ale and our sweet oatmeal stout today.

 

[Altrez]

Update:

Hello all,

I got some parts for my off grid beer brewing project in today and thought I would post a pick. I have not tested everything yet and I am still shopping around for solar panels but it is a start.

:rockin:

-Altrez

 

[PADave]

Update:

Hello all,

I got some parts for my off grid beer brewing project in today and thought I would post a pick. I have not tested everything yet and I am still shopping around for solar panels but it is a start.

:rockin:

-Altrez

Ok, now you are off your rocker! I just have to ask, why?

 

[Altrez]

Ok, now you are off your rocker! I just have to ask, why?

I want to brew beer during the zombie Apocalypse of course!

-Altrez

 

[PADave]

I want to brew beer during the zombie Apocalypse of course!

-Altrez

I'm all for that answer, but are you also stocking up on grains and hops? Or better yet growing your own? You can have all the electricity you want, but without ingredients you're not brewing. I'd rater work around not having electric, as all it does in my brewing process is fermentation control, than not having ingredients.

 

[Altrez]

I'm all for that answer, but are you also stocking up on grains and hops? Or better yet growing your own? You can have all the electricity you want, but without ingredients you're not brewing. I'd rater work around not having electric, as all it does in my brewing process is fermentation control, than not having ingredients.

I am stocking up on Mr. Beer kit's they have the shelf life of good MRE's and taste about the same



-Altrez

 

[jschein]

I am stocking up on Mr. Beer kit's they have the shelf life of good MRE's and taste about the same







-Altrez

True dat

 

[Stillraining]

Ya this thread should be a sticky..."Minimum gear needed to start home brewing"

 

[MaryB]

Modified sine inverter = HOT compressor motor and early failure. Need a pure sine inverter to run motors.

Update:

Hello all,

I got some parts for my off grid beer brewing project in today and thought I would post a pick. I have not tested everything yet and I am still shopping around for solar panels but it is a start.

:rockin:

-Altrez

 

[Onkel_Udo]

Modified sine inverter = HOT compressor motor and early failure. Need a pure sine inverter to run motors.

Really? I found that just about any fridge or freezer with a simple, non-digital thermostat is just fine. They tend to have single speed motors that fare well.

 

[Photopilot]

I am not going to read through 60 pages to see if it's been said before but if you want to brew off grid and live in an area with seasons, brew in an appropriate season where fermentation stability is not a struggle.

I have been kegging for a long while and till I had a keezer I would alter my methods between bottle and kegs depending on whether I could keep a keg cold on the back porch. Setting up a huge solar array and massive battery packs seems counter intuitive to the reason of living off the grid, unless you are a prepper that must have his beer. Although that will be the first house I will attack if Trumpageddon occurs.

 

[SpahrBrewing]

I am not going to read through 60 pages to see if it's been said before but if you want to brew off grid and live in an area with seasons, brew in an appropriate season where fermentation stability is not a struggle.

I have been kegging for a long while and till I had a keezer I would alter my methods between bottle and kegs depending on whether I could keep a keg cold on the back porch. Setting up a huge solar array and massive battery packs seems counter intuitive to the reason of living off the grid, unless you are a prepper that must have his beer. Although that will be the first house I will attack if Trumpageddon occurs.

He has money to make it whatever season he wants it to be! Don't worry 'bout it!

I can't believe that no one has suggested that you need to build a biodome to perfectly recreate the environment where certain beers are brewed -- same concept as RO water.

 

[Photopilot]

He has money to make it whatever season he wants it to be! Don't worry 'bout it!

I can't believe that no one has suggested that you need to build a biodome to perfectly recreate the environment where certain beers are brewed -- same concept as RO water.

A guy living off the land in Kentucky with more money that he knows what to do with. Reminds me of a guy I worked for last year. I will post a photo of his battery bank of his house in Mexico. I guess I got to read the all 60 pages now.

I do like the biodome idea though, but you would need multiple biodomes unless you only wanted to stick with one style of beer.

 

[Pkrd]

I am not going to read through 60 pages to see if it's been said before but if you want to brew off grid and live in an area with seasons, brew in an appropriate season where fermentation stability is not a struggle.

Drinking 10 gallons a week he would need a lot of storage!

 

[Photopilot]

Drinking 10 gallons a week he would need a lot of storage!

Man I really got to read all 60 pages now.

 

[Altrez]

Giveaway:

So much goodness in this thread! I have decided to start doing giveaways! Now this is my first one so here it goes!

I am giving away a Yeti Rambler Tumbler Stainless Steel, 30 oz!!!!

Here is the link:

https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/7e9c00af20b9f56c

Thank you all so much for the help. I plan to have more giveaways soon so please keep contributing!

-Altrez

 

[GilSwillBasementBrews]

Awesome. Gotta love free stuff. Didn't win but appreciate the chance.

 

[daveMN]

Man I really got to read all 60 pages now.

You have no idea! It's worth it.

 

[BeerAddikt]

Man I really got to read all 60 pages now.

It's the most entertaining 60 pages you'll come across.

And I didn't think you were being serious when you talked about the off the grid thing Altrez. Eccentric isn't a powerful enough word to describe you! :fro: