My Pale ale Question

[bxtzd3]

i brewed a pale ale on the 10th. beersmith, a recipe that was uploaded, and it said dry hop 3 days. just like that. now how i took this was, primary then in three days secondary for dry hoping. so now that its in the second for 4 days, im wondering if it needs to get bottled now. i dont think it will clear anymore with the hop's floating around on top, didnt know how to sterilize a bag to use for the hop's. what do you think? it tastes great now dont want it tooo hoppy, if there is such a thing.

just to clarify, its been fermenting for a total of 9 days. its supposed to be ale 2 stage

 

[kh54s10]

Wow! No it is not likely to be done fermenting and should not be in secondary yet. Dry hop for 3 days means to put the hops in secondary 3 days before you bottle.

You should take gravity readings to make sure fermentation has finished then transfer to secondary. Normal is at least 10 days primary, more often 2-3 weeks, then secondary if desired for another 2-3 weeks then bottle.

At this point leave it alone for another week or 3 ,then dry hop, wait another 3-7 days then bottle. Since you already used your dry hops I would get some more.

 

[bxtzd3]

Wow! No it is not likely to be done fermenting and should not be in secondary yet. Dry hop for 3 days means to put the hops in secondary 3 days before you bottle.

You should take gravity readings to make sure fermentation has finished then transfer to secondary. Normal is at least 10 days primary, more often 2-3 weeks, then secondary if desired for another 2-3 weeks then bottle.

At this point leave it alone for another week or 3 ,then dry hop, wait another 3-7 days then bottle. Since you already used your dry hops I would get some more.

whoops!:smack: well guess ill just brew another batch while this one sits. i thought i was wrong. oh well live and learn.
and thank you.

 

[monkeybox]

Don't worry bxtzd3. kh's response was a bit harsh, imo.

One thing I've noticed about homebrewing. No matter what mistakes you make, it still usually comes out tasting like beer.

A lighter beer is usually fine with 2 weeks fermenting and 2 weeks in the bottle, but you'll find almost all beers benefit from a little more time, and heavier beers require it.

With this batch, you can go many ways and they'll all turn out. You can bottle now if you'd like. Or you can wait another 1-3 weeks and bottle without dry hopping (you'll miss out on some of the aroma), or you can wait another 1-3 weeks and dry hop 3 days prior to bottling. The concern with waiting 1-3 weeks is that you've already added hops, and they could add some off flavors.

I think if you choose to do any of the above, you'll still have a perfectly good beer.

 

[bxtzd3]

Don't worry bxtzd3. kh's response was a bit harsh, imo.

One thing I've noticed about homebrewing. No matter what mistakes you make, it still usually comes out tasting like beer.

A lighter beer is usually fine with 2 weeks fermenting and 2 weeks in the bottle, but you'll find almost all beers benefit from a little more time, and heavier beers require it.

With this batch, you can go many ways and they'll all turn out. You can bottle now if you'd like. Or you can wait another 1-3 weeks and bottle without dry hopping (you'll miss out on some of the aroma), or you can wait another 1-3 weeks and dry hop 3 days prior to bottling. The concern with waiting 1-3 weeks is that you've already added hops, and they could add some off flavors.

I think if you choose to do any of the above, you'll still have a perfectly good beer.

im gonna bottle this weekend end and let it go for a while. it tastes good now

 

[kh54s10]

I never said that it wouldn't turn out good. And I guess I could/should have been a little more diplomatic. I still suggest taking time - do not rush it through. And if you want the beer dry hopped, and you already used the hops. the hop flavor and aroma will be mostly gone by the time it is bottled. That is why I suggested getting more and doing the dry hop when it should be done, which is after fermentation is done and in the last days before bottling.

I also suggest taking gravity readings before bottling. If the fermentation is not finished and you bottle you risk exploding bottles.

 

[bxtzd3]

I never said that it wouldn't turn out good. And I guess I could/should have been a little more diplomatic. I still suggest taking time - do not rush it through. And if you want the beer dry hopped, and you already used the hops. the hop flavor and aroma will be mostly gone by the time it is bottled. That is why I suggested getting more and doing the dry hop when it should be done, which is after fermentation is done and in the last days before bottling.

I also suggest taking gravity readings before bottling. If the fermentation is not finished and you bottle you risk exploding bottles.

no off meaning taken. i plan on bottleing on sun due to the fermentation came and went

 

[kh54s10]

no off meaning taken. i plan on bottleing on sun due to the fermentation came and went

Good, You should get a good beer. It might not be exactly as planned but some of those have been some of my favorites. The biggest problem would be that if it is great it might be difficult to do again.

You said earlier that you might start the next one soon. I think this is a great idea but possibly for a different reason. - You will be surprised how quickly this one will disappear!

I suggest you get more fermenters. As you get going and try beers that take different schedules you will find you cannot wait for one to finish to start the next one.

 

[Glynn]

Here is a good guideline to follow.

ferment for 10 to 14 days in a primary then start gravity testing. (I do 14 personally) If its stable after 3 checks (usually around 1.010 depending on style) then rack to a secondary and dry hop 5 to 7 days. cold crash it if you can then bottle.