broni
Member
I have a goal of creating a universal fermentation schedule, or rather, a schedule that fits just about any ale, regardless of style or gravity. Ideally, I would be enjoying this hobby in my retirement, with little distractions from work or kids. Unfortunately, I'm years away, but still have a desire to brew beer regularly. A fermentation schedule would help me set aside the right amount of time each week to keep a steady cadence of beer brewing. Predictability would greatly help me juggle brewing with wife, kids, work, etc.
Some background - I started brewing about 10 years ago. I'm very happy with my process, and I'd like to brew every 2 weeks or so. If I had a predictable schedule, then I can purchase materials, brew, ferment, package, etc without too many unexpected disruptions. I realize that the best way to judge when beers are ready is to measure, test, sample, etc, but history has taught me that I can't seem to find many small amounts of time to do this. I'd much rather schedule blocks of time to handle the process.
My fermentation chamber is an old kegerator with a temperature controller. I use a Tilt to track gravity and typically hit final gravity in ~3-5 days. I keg, and serve out of an old freezer with another temperature controller.
My primary objective is to brew more regularly. To that end, I've simplified a few variables - I will only use WLP-001 which I overbuild each starter and store for the next brew. I also only brew ales, but the OGs vary quite a bit.
Another assumption is that I will always have an appropriately sized yeast starter, and I use an oxygen wand to saturate the wort, so I should have good, clean fermentation.
Here is my initial stab at schedule:
Does this make sense? Will this satisfy most ale styles and gravities? Anything I'm missing? Thanks!
Some background - I started brewing about 10 years ago. I'm very happy with my process, and I'd like to brew every 2 weeks or so. If I had a predictable schedule, then I can purchase materials, brew, ferment, package, etc without too many unexpected disruptions. I realize that the best way to judge when beers are ready is to measure, test, sample, etc, but history has taught me that I can't seem to find many small amounts of time to do this. I'd much rather schedule blocks of time to handle the process.
My fermentation chamber is an old kegerator with a temperature controller. I use a Tilt to track gravity and typically hit final gravity in ~3-5 days. I keg, and serve out of an old freezer with another temperature controller.
My primary objective is to brew more regularly. To that end, I've simplified a few variables - I will only use WLP-001 which I overbuild each starter and store for the next brew. I also only brew ales, but the OGs vary quite a bit.
Another assumption is that I will always have an appropriately sized yeast starter, and I use an oxygen wand to saturate the wort, so I should have good, clean fermentation.
Here is my initial stab at schedule:
- Day 0 to Day 12 = Brew and transfer to FV (4-7 days to reach final gravity and a few more days for any cleanup)
- Day 13 = Transfer to keg
- Day 13 (big beer) = Place keg at room temperature (72F) for another week to allow yeast more time to condition the beer
- Day 13 (non-big beer) = Place keg in serving freezer to cold condition for 1 week
- Day 14 = Brew next batch, restart schedule
- Day 20 (big beer) = Move keg to freezer to cold condition for 1 week
- Day 21 (non-big-beer) = Begin serving
- Day 28 (big beer) = Begin serving
Does this make sense? Will this satisfy most ale styles and gravities? Anything I'm missing? Thanks!