Tripel Questions:

[EddieTheBrewerLADET]

Hey everyone,

Planning on brewing a tripel tomorrow. I did a 1L yeast starter today. 3/4cup DME with one vial of WLP500. Used a 1L bottle and covered it with foil. A few hours later...still no action. Will I notice anything or not??

Also, will this be enough of a starter for my Tripel??

ALSO:

A secondary absolutely necessary for a Tripel? How about 3 weeks in Primary and then into bottles? I don't have a secondary and I've heard pretty fair arguments both ways.

And ALSO:

Is aging REQUIRED for a Tripel or can I bottle it 3 weeks after primary and drink after carbed? I know it'll have some positive gains for the aging but will it still taste good fresh from conditioning??


Thx!

 

[aviator01]

Are you using a stir plate or just the shake when you walk by method? Given enough time the starter should be ample for your tripel.

I have done several month secondaries for all tripels I've made and they turned out fantastic. If you don't have that option, just bottle them and hold on to them for at least two months before even trying the first one. The triple I brewed last May is really starting to come into that sweet spot.

Best of luck and enjoy your brew day.

 

[EddieTheBrewerLADET]

Are you using a stir plate or just the shake when you walk by method? Given enough time the starter should be ample for your tripel.

I have done several month secondaries for all tripels I've made and they turned out fantastic. If you don't have that option, just bottle them and hold on to them for at least two months before even trying the first one. The triple I brewed last May is really starting to come into that sweet spot.

Best of luck and enjoy your brew day.

Thx man!!

I've heard the flip side also though. I drank my buddies tripel right after it finished carbing in the bottles and I thought it was great! He also only did a primary at about 3.5 weeks. How did that happen???

 

[EddieTheBrewerLADET]

Are you using a stir plate or just the shake when you walk by method? Given enough time the starter should be ample for your tripel.

I have done several month secondaries for all tripels I've made and they turned out fantastic. If you don't have that option, just bottle them and hold on to them for at least two months before even trying the first one. The triple I brewed last May is really starting to come into that sweet spot.

Best of luck and enjoy your brew day.

The shake method....think I'll be good to go 24 hours later?

 

[aviator01]

The shake method might leave you with a lower pitching rate that what you'd want in an ideal situation, but you will have more yeast cells than the original vial/smack pack, which is better than no increase in cell count.

 

[EddieTheBrewerLADET]

The shake method might leave you with a lower pitching rate that what you'd want in an ideal situation, but you will have more yeast cells than the original vial/smack pack, which is better than no increase in cell count.

Should I be noticing anything actively happening inside the starter?? I literally don't noticed or see anything after 6 hours or so

 

[aviator01]

My tripels have been good "green," but they really get better with age. Save a 6 pack for a year and compare.

 

[aviator01]

Should I be noticing anything actively happening inside the starter?? I literally don't noticed or see anything after 6 hours or so

Check again in the morning. You should see activity in the way of bubbles and a milkiness to the starter. Don't be afraid to give it a good shake and do it as often as possible. You're starter will increase in total cell count.

 

[Kent88]

6 hours? I'd be making sure I have a backup plan. Did you order it or get it from the local homebrew supply store?

If you've enjoyed a tripel that fermented less than a month, right after it carbonated, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't try that yourself. If you crack one open and think it needs some age, set it aside for a while. Follow your own palete and don't get too caught up in what is usual for the style. Unless you're entering it in some kind of contest.

 

[EddieTheBrewerLADET]

6 hours? I'd be making sure I have a backup plan. Did you order it or get it from the local homebrew supply store?

If you've enjoyed a tripel that fermented less than a month, right after it carbonated, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't try that yourself. If you crack one open and think it needs some age, set it aside for a while. Follow your own palete and don't get too caught up in what is usual for the style. Unless you're entering it in some kind of contest.

Just checked it again and the yeast were all starting to flock settle to the bottom....how is this possible??? The yeast was very fresh, etc.


Purchased at local brew supply store.

 

[DocDriza]

I'm currently fermenting a Tripel with WLP550. A secondary really isn't necessary. The first time I did this Tripel, I kept it in the primary until fermentation was done and it came out excellent.

Aging is not required for a Tripel, but I can say from experience that you should let some of it age. I just tasted one that I brewed in July, and it definitely got better. Keep in mind that the higher gravity beers always seem to benefit from aging.

In the end, my suggestion would be to keep it in the primary until fermentation is done, then bottle. If you can afford to age some of the bottles then do it.

Happy brewing!