Temperature after bottling

Nuno Santos · Nov 1, 2018

Hello all!

I am brewing an IPA with late hop. It should be ready for bottling in one week from now. However, when bottling, I am wondering about at which temperature I should leave the bottles.

On the one hand, I say to myself that the bottles should be at a temperature at which the yeast will work (to produce gas). But on the other hand I read everywhere that I should put the bottles in a low temperature space (fridge?). Any suggestions?

Thank you!

mongoose33 · Nov 1, 2018

You store the bottles, while conditioning and carbing, at room temperature or close to it. Say, 65 to 70 degrees, more or less. You are right in that you need to have them at a temp where the yeast will work. In other words, similar to the temperature at which you fermented the beer in the first place.

Typically 2-3 weeks. Then, put the bottles in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours to chill, and for headspace CO2 to be reabsorbed into the beer.

thehaze · Nov 1, 2018

If it's an IPA, I personally not wait 2-3 weeks to taste, drink or allow for the carbonation to be formed. If everything is OK and your process is good, then satisfactory carbonation will be present at day 5-7. However, if the beer is over 8%, then it might take more time. But it's best to try a bottle once every 3-5 days to see how things are moving along. As said before, try your first bottle at day 7.

Nuno Santos · Nov 1, 2018

Thank you! That is really helpful. I was also suggested to wait 7 days to open the first bottle (it should be ~6%, initial gravity was at 1055). So lets see what comes out in a couple of weeks (I will hopefully dry hop in a couple of days and then bottle mid next week).
Cheers!

RM-MN · Nov 1, 2018

thehaze said:
If it's an IPA, I personally not wait 2-3 weeks to taste, drink or allow for the carbonation to be formed. If everything is OK and your process is good, then satisfactory carbonation will be present at day 5-7. However, if the beer is over 8%, then it might take more time. But it's best to try a bottle once every 3-5 days to see how things are moving along. As said before, try your first bottle at day 7.

I've had decent carbonation with 3 days at 72 degrees and 24 hours in the refrigerator. (yes, that quick) The downside is there is virtually no head on the beer. That takes another week or so.