To conditon the beer or not to?

[Todes]

I am confused because I see on different sources that in some of them say that after the fermentation you can bottle the beer, and some of them say that you condition the beer in another tank and then you bottle the beer? This is about Ales, what is the standard procedure?

 

[mkyl428]

Ferment the beer leave it in primary for about 3 weeks, then (assuming consistent gravity readings) bottle no need to secondary unless you are adding fruit or something.

 

[Todes]

what if I add fruit or something else?

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

The other tank is called a secondary. Its an older method that everyone used to do and is now considered an outdated method.

Just keep it in the primary the whole time. 10 to 14 days is a good timeframe for fermentation to be finished.

After that many/most cold crash to drop the yeast and hops and clear the beer. This takes 2/3 days then bottle/keg.

 

[IloveWorts]

Ferment the beer leave it in primary for about 3 weeks, then (assuming consistent gravity readings) bottle no need to secondary unless you are adding fruit or something.

Bottle, then more "conditioning" or "aging" ?

I agree no secondary is needed here but there seems to be multiple sources all over HBT speaking of more time needed in bottles to carb then more to condition to get rid of green taste. For my haus Pale and IPA I go...

Primary - 1.5 weeks/2 (depending on yeast strain)

Kegged with priming sugar- 2 weeks (room temp)

In keezer at 40F - 1 week


Should I add in a week to condition somewhere?

 

[Todes]

The other tank is called a secondary. Its an older method that everyone used to do and is now considered an outdated method.

Just keep it in the primary the whole time. 10 to 14 days is a good timeframe for fermentation to be finished.

After that many/most cold crash to drop the yeast and hops and clear the beer. This takes 2/3 days then bottle/keg.

Is the cold crash done in the primary?

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

Is the cold crash done in the primary?

Yes.
Everything will settle out on the bottom of the primary,its called a yeast cake. Then rack the beer off that

 

[mkyl428]

Bottle, then more "conditioning" or "aging" ?

I agree no secondary is needed here but there seems to be multiple sources all over HBT speaking of more time needed in bottles to carb then more to condition to get rid of green taste. For my haus Pale and IPA I go...

Primary - 1.5 weeks/2 (depending on yeast strain)

Kegged with priming sugar- 2 weeks (room temp)

In keezer at 40F - 1 week


Should I add in a week to condition somewhere?

The week you leave it in the fridge would be considered conditioning time. You will notice that the flavor of your beer evolves if you try some after a week or two verses after a month this flavor change is what conditioning is all about. Whether or not it needs additional time to condition depends on the beer. Some beers are best as soon as they are carbed, some may need a little more time to round out and soften undesirable flavors.

 

[IloveWorts]

The week you leave it in the fridge would be considered conditioning time. You will notice that the flavor of your beer evolves if you try some after a week or two verses after a month this flavor change is what conditioning is all about. Whether or not it needs additional time to condition depends on the beer. Some beers are best as soon as they are carbed, some may need a little more time to round out and soften undesirable flavors.

I cant agree with you more. I mean yeah I want to tap my stuff asap but is that stuff best now or in two more weeks....Knowing when to tap and feeling comfortable doing so is a hard part for me.

 

[violinguy]

Tom Petty said it best. The waiting is the hardest part.

 

[brewcat]

I cant agree with you more. I mean yeah I want to tap my stuff asap but is that stuff best now or in two more weeks....Knowing when to tap and feeling comfortable doing so is a hard part for me.

I'm buying a few more kegs just for that reason. I can wait if I have good beer on tap.

 

[IloveWorts]

I'm buying a few more kegs just for that reason. I can wait if I have good beer on tap.

"Pipeline"