Rookie Question

[ShaneHed13]

I've seen a lot about sampling the beer during the process.

I am assuming (and looking for confirmation) that this is done just prior to bottling, before priming the batch.

Also, is this a good predictor on flavor? Obviously it won't be carbonated, but I've heard a lot of people saying the flavor improves dramatically after bottling and letting the beer sit for 3 weeks.

 

[opiate82]

You can sample beer at any point during the process and glean information from it, if you know what you are looking for. Can sample the wort before the boil, after the boil, different points during the fermentation, etc.

That said, basically I sample my beer when I move it from the fermenter to the keg, and then once in the keg and I think it might be carbed. My palate isn't refined enough to figure out how my beer will taste from sampling at any other point, but I hope to get there one day.

 

[kako187]

I sample my beer anytime I stare at the bucket for more than 4 minutes

 

[Clonefan94]

My pipeline allows me to usually let my beer sit for about 3 weeks before I do anything with it at all. At that point, I am rarely concerned about weather or not fermentation is complete. Just to be sure though, I always draw off enough to fill my tube that the hydrometer goes in, just to check final gravity, this sample always ends up in my belly.

It's obviously not the exact taste I'll get after carbing up, but it does give me a good idea of where the beer is at taste wise. As long as this sample doesn't give off something that is obviously wrong with it, then it's kegged and labeled, then put on gas to start carbing up, so it's ready to go on when a spot opens.