okay HBT, speed is of the essence... (bottling must start soon if at all tonight)

[DSorenson]

Bonus points for quickness of responses!

I posted about my Pale Ale earlier today:
6 lbs pale DME (added late to the boil)
1 lb Caramel Malt (40 lovibond) Steeped
3 oz perle hops (divided evenly at 60, 15, and flame out)
Nottingham's Ale Yeast.
OG: about 1.055
Current SG: just shy 1.010

the parent recipe I'm working with yields 6.6 ABV with an estimated termination at 1.017. My rough calculations on that estimate are about 1.014. My current SG reading was just a hair under 1.010. Time to bottle? :rockin:

Sounds impatient to do this now, but most of next week I'm going to be very busy. Also, I'm pretty sure I'm under 5 gallons (maybe as low as 4.5 gallons). I'd know for sure if I put it in a priming bucket, but I'd hate to have the beer sit in that bucket while I figure out the proper priming sugar. I don't want to assume that 4 ounces of priming sugar would still be a good figure for this unknown amount under 5 gallons, but I know there is some head room on that figure, as well.

Kindly homebrew peoples of the world... lend me your aid!
much thanks in advance!!!!

 

[DSorenson]

just to clarify, the original recipe was for an IPA and included 1.5 LBS more DME and different hops.

 

[Yooper]

My current SG reading was just a hair under 1.010. Time to bottle? :rockin:

If it was just a hair under 1.010 two days ago, then it's time to bottle.

If this was the first SG reading, then it still could be time to bottle if the beer is clear and it's obviously done by appearance because it's clear.

If not, I'd suggest waiting until at least two SG readings are the same, over at least three days, and the beer is clear.

 

[snowtires]

Sounds ready to bottle

4 oz for 5 gallons 4/5=0.8
0.8*4.5=3.6 oz for 4.5 gallons etc

Oh and i failed math horribly lol

 

[DSorenson]

thanks yooper, +100 bonus points.

This was the first SG reading today (2 weeks, three days since pitching). I tasted the sample and noticed that it was slightly hazy. Could have disturbed the trub with the thief (as in probably). The beer inside otherwise looks clear.

Sage advise as always, and I will take it providing my additional input didn't change anything.
Thanks again yooper.

 

[DSorenson]

snowtires, +95 bonus points.

Are you saying that if/when it's ready that you'd bother to scale down the 4 oz priming sugar? Interesting... any seconds on this?

 

[Jeremy_N]

Let it sit in the fermenter until your not busy. No need to rush anything. Your beer should benefit from an additional week of sitting there. Then you will have time to figure out how much to reduce your priming sugar. Rushing now will just increase the chance you will do something you might regret.

You can probably bottle it now though, cuz I know what it's like to really want them to be ready. Just use a little less priming sugar.

 

[Yooper]

snowtires, +95 bonus points.

Are you saying that if/when it's ready that you'd bother to scale down the 4 oz priming sugar? Interesting... any seconds on this?

I normally use 1 ounce of priming sugar per finished gallon. You could easily use 4 ounces (or 4.5) if you have less than 5 gallons of beer. There isn't all that much difference in carb level between 4.5 ounces and 5 ounces, but it might be safer to use 4.5 ounces if you know you have less than 5 gallons.

 

[snowtires]

It depend how much fizz u want, I've only bottled a few times so I'm no expert. I just know I don't like doing it.

 

[DSorenson]

if I never say this again,

YOU GUYS RULE!!! HBT is an amazing place. that was SO fast.

I'm going to contemplate my bottling future, but I feel very well informed. you guys are all WINNING!

 

[Doomsday]

I know its hard when you first start brewing, but try hard to NEVER feel rushed or that something need to be done NOW...things like that.

It will drive you insane and you will end up doing something you regret (trust me, been there done that)

Take your time, make informed decisions and never feel dumb asking for help.
Good luck and have fun bottling!