Newbie here with a question about fermentation length

[HopHog87]

Hello everyone, first time poster here with a newbie question. I know I'm sure this has been asked multiple times but I figure it might be a good way to introduce myself and get some good input.

I just brewed my first batch yesterday! Used a Brewer's Best kit from local store. After making the wort I places it in my plain ol' "ale pail." I just checked it today and, in just under 24 hrs I have bubbles! Also, the OG was spot on.

Now for te question...how long to let it sit? The directions leave a little to be desired as it basically says wait a while after it stops bubbling and beer is in FG range then bottle. I figured it would stay in the primary fermenter much longer (maybe several weeks) before bottling? What procedure do I use to know it has sat long enough before I rack into bottling bucket and add sugar and bottle?

BTW, this is an IPA and I only plan on a primary fermentation (not enough equipment or evidence for doing so to do otherwise). Thanks for your input!!

 

[flars]

In two weeks take a hydrometer reading. In three days take another one. If the second is the same, you could bottle. If you are not sure take another in two days. Drink your samples. Don't put it back into the wort. Temperature correct you SG readings. Control the temperature of the wort during fermentation. Sorry for short responses. Three finger tips bandaged.
Happy brewing.

 

[HopHog87]

Thanks for your quick response and for vallantry in spreading the brew knowledge while maimed!

 

[bookworm0367]

Kit beers usually have decent instructions, that include how long to let a beer ferment. On Northern Brewer or other kit sellers, you can usually find additional info on the kit review page or that particular sellers forums. That being said, a hydrometer is a great investment and will always answer the question "how will I know when it's done". They are pretty cheap, and a must as you expand your brewing equip, now that you are already hooked.

 

[Hamsterheadsalem]

Generally, a kit extract beer will ferment for about 2 weeks. At the end take a gravity reading. If it is down low you are ready to bottle. Give it another 2 weeks in the bottle before chilling and cracking one open! Cheers, don't worry it all come out fine. Welcome to our crazy world!

 

[HopHog87]

Sounds like two weeks might be a pretty good time to shoot for, then. At the end of that period do you basically just note when the hydrometer reading is stagnant or just when it hits the FG you are looking for (I.e. is it common for the gravity to stagnate at a gravity other than what you want?). In those cases, what do you do?

 

[flars]

Sounds like two weeks might be a pretty good time to shoot for, then. At the end of that period do you basically just note when the hydrometer reading is stagnant or just when it hits the FG you are looking for (I.e. is it common for the gravity to stagnate at a gravity other than what you want?). In those cases, what do you do?

A few different processes during the brew will affect actual FG. A recipe stated FG is just an estimate to be used for a guide. You have reached FG when two to three SG readings have stabilized. SG readings should be taken over the course of 2 to 3 days when you feel fermentation has ended.

 

[user 98891]

The correct way is to like others above have stated is to take a few gravity readings and bottle when stable. However, you sometimes want to let your beer sit after FG has been reached to allow gunk to settle out depending on the yeast.

I typically don't bother with any of that. I wait around 3-4 weeks, crash the beer down in the freezer and then keg it.

 

[narl79]

2 weeks is a good bet. I'd let it sit at least that time before taking your first reading. And wait 2 days to take another. You don't want to open it everyday and risk infection. Within 4 days of sampling if its the same bottle.

 

[HopHog87]

Thanks for all the good info...I appreciate it! If it turns put ill be sure and let everyone know. If not, I will cower in shame and self pitty!

 

[narl79]

No don't do that. Wait till you have brewed 30 something batches then really screw one up then you can cower lol. I've found that you are for sure going to screw something up at one point or another. That's when you learn and become better.

 

[Clonefan94]

Don't forget to keep it cool. If it's sitting in a room at 70, it's fermenting at a higher temp than that. Do what you can to keep fermentation temps under 70.