MC-Hokie
Member
I'm a new brewer...the first batch is a Bavarian Hefeweizen. Was in primary for 4 days, secondary for 9, and bottled on Tuesday. I'll be patient, but I can't wait to try it. Tasted it when bottling and it was great even warm and flat. SWMBO tried it too and was impressed and said she thinks it will turn out great. She's even giving input on what styles I should plan to brew.
First question...should I try a bottle this weekend, or give it at least a week? I'm not in a rush, but curious to better understand the carb process and how it changes as it bottle conditions. I'll wait a full 2 weeks before having the beer "available".
This forum has been a huge help. Now on to the main point of this post...
I realize the need to keep brewing and keep the pipeline full so I always have great beer to drink/share. My kit contains a primary/bottling bucket and a glass carboy. I've added a second primary bucket (no spigot) so I can try to get 2 batches fermenting at about the same time. My process may be: boil a batch and put in primary (no secondary for this batch); boil a batch and primary in bottling bucket, and then rack to secondary. That will give me 2 batches fermenting and a free bottling bucket.
Does this sound like a solid plan to keep the funnel full? If so, any advice on what styles for the 2 different methods? What would do better just in primary and what would benefit from secondary? I'd also like different fermenting times, so I'm not always bottling 2 batches at once. I hope this method allows me to stagger the process, even if I boil two batches on the same day.
I've picked up 2 True Brew kits to brew next. Oktoberfest and a German Style Light. Would I be right to think the GSL would benefit from the secondary to help clear, and leave the Oktoberfest in the primary?
I've learned enough here to know that I shouldn't follow the included instructions. For both kits they say:
-fermentation for 48-72 hours
-allow to settle for 3-4 days
-bottle and age for 3 weeks
Can anyone provide a better schedule using the 2 methods I stated above?
Thanks for any and all advice.
MC-Hokie
First question...should I try a bottle this weekend, or give it at least a week? I'm not in a rush, but curious to better understand the carb process and how it changes as it bottle conditions. I'll wait a full 2 weeks before having the beer "available".
This forum has been a huge help. Now on to the main point of this post...
I realize the need to keep brewing and keep the pipeline full so I always have great beer to drink/share. My kit contains a primary/bottling bucket and a glass carboy. I've added a second primary bucket (no spigot) so I can try to get 2 batches fermenting at about the same time. My process may be: boil a batch and put in primary (no secondary for this batch); boil a batch and primary in bottling bucket, and then rack to secondary. That will give me 2 batches fermenting and a free bottling bucket.
Does this sound like a solid plan to keep the funnel full? If so, any advice on what styles for the 2 different methods? What would do better just in primary and what would benefit from secondary? I'd also like different fermenting times, so I'm not always bottling 2 batches at once. I hope this method allows me to stagger the process, even if I boil two batches on the same day.
I've picked up 2 True Brew kits to brew next. Oktoberfest and a German Style Light. Would I be right to think the GSL would benefit from the secondary to help clear, and leave the Oktoberfest in the primary?
I've learned enough here to know that I shouldn't follow the included instructions. For both kits they say:
-fermentation for 48-72 hours
-allow to settle for 3-4 days
-bottle and age for 3 weeks
Can anyone provide a better schedule using the 2 methods I stated above?
Thanks for any and all advice.
MC-Hokie