When Is Carbonation Complete?

[PanzerOfDoom]

How do you know short of opening and trying it out? Or is it just that simple?

 

[rewster451]

Two weeks minimum, three weeks normal, a month plus for special beers. Good rules of thumb, but not always right. Definitely wait those first two weeks though, no matter how impatient you are.

 

[Caplan]

As rewster451 stated really - it depends on the temp you store the bottles at. The cooler they are the slightly longer it'll take.
Another good idea if you'd rather not keep opening your beers a little too early (which I remember orfy suggested - apologies if it's someone elses idea!) is to bottle on of your beers in a plastic pet bottle as a 'test' beer. When it swells and you can't squeeze it you'll know you have carbonation in the rest.

 

[Dark_Ale]

Thats a good idea with the plastic bottle I would have never thunk it...

 

[Brewsmith]

How do you know short of opening and trying it out? Or is it just that simple?

Sometimes you just need to open one up. I've had brew carbonate in 10 days and others that took over 3 weeks. I usually check one after about a week. If not carbed up by two weeks, move it to a slightly warmer location.

 

[God Emporer BillyBrew]

Sometimes you just need to open one up. I've had brew carbonate in 10 days and others that took over 3 weeks. I usually check one after about a week. If not carbed up by two weeks, move it to a slightly warmer location.

Yeah, I just had my IPA carb in like a week and a half. And that was using DME and in a room I thought was too cold.