Next Day Carbination in Bottles?

kinkothecarp · Mar 29, 2010

So, I bottled a Hefe and a Amber Saturday. I didn't think much of the bottling process with the Amber, but when I added the sugar to the Hefe and racked on top of it, there was already a TON of activity (I assume - there was bubbles where the sugar went!). Last night, remebering said activity, I grabbed one and poured it. The thing was fully carbed and ready to go! Is this really unusual? I'm almost certain - without a doubt - the beer was done. It'd been sitting for three weeks, and the F.G. was right on. Should I be worried about bottle bombs? Has anyone had this happen?

Monty420th · Mar 29, 2010

my porter was carbonated two days after being put in the bottles, it happens

DavidHawman · Mar 29, 2010

I believe if you have a good amount of yeast in suspension the bottles will carb up faster since there are more yeast to consume the priming sugar.

kinkothecarp · Mar 29, 2010

DavidHawman said:
I believe if you have a good amount of yeast in suspension the bottles will carb up faster since there are more yeast to consume the priming sugar.

This would make sense, because I didn't do a secondary with the Hefe.

FlatcapBrew · Mar 30, 2010

Though the bottle seams to be carbed overnight it isnt properly carbed. here is an example of the different stages that beer goes through.

beer doesnt carb overnight, plus aging it wont do any harm.

HH60gunner · Mar 30, 2010

so now on a hefeweizen do I have to wait as long as this guy did?? My recipe that came with my kit said it should be ready after being bottled for about 10 days, and this guy had his in for 31 before he said it was ready?

FlatcapBrew · Apr 5, 2010

it depends on the style of beer, some take longer to carb, i happen to think that all my beers taste better carbing for at least three weeks than ten days and gladly wait longer for better beer. I would go more along the lines of what this guy said than the directions.

Captain Damage · Apr 5, 2010

3 weeks is the standard recommended minimum after bottling to call a beer "ready." I'm curious and impatient so I always try one after 1 week, then after 2 weeks - young beer won't hurt you, it just won't taste as good. "Bigger" beers, i.e., high OG beers generally need to be aged longer for the flavors to balance out.