when to keg

[zmurda]

i just made a recipe similar to fat tire and fermentation is going good. my question is when should it be ready to keg? i have brewing classic styles and on alot of the recipes it usually says to keg after about a week. is this ok, or should i wait longer?

 

[Rick91981]

I would wait. I typically ferment in primary for about a week, then put it to a secondary for 2-4 weeks. Then i keg it and let it carb slowly for about 2 weeks.

 

[Clonefarmer]

i just made a recipe similar to fat tire and fermentation is going good. my question is when should it be ready to keg? i have brewing classic styles and on alot of the recipes it usually says to keg after about a week. is this ok, or should i wait longer?

You can keg it as soon as fermentation has finished. The gravity will be the indicator. A week is usually sufficient, but check your gravity first.

 

[Nuggethead]

Wait longer. It won't be ready to keg until at least 3 weeks. I have made my version of this clone several times and to properly ferment it, it has taken 3 to 4 weeks every time. Once it's kegged, it's o.k after an additional 3 weeks, but the last batch I did, I let it sit kegged at 40F for 8 weeks and it was fantastic. Some ales will ferment in a week or so but still have alot of (unseen) fermentation taking place that will only improve your quality.

 

[VegasBrew]

I am doing a fat tire now myself, i am going 10-14 days in primary depending on gravity readings then 2 weeks in secondary and keg it up.

VB

 

[Nuggethead]

I am doing a fat tire now myself, i am going 10-14 days in primary depending on gravity readings then 2 weeks in secondary and keg it up.

VB

Although I have done that exact fermentation in the past, you can skip the secondary since your not dry hopping and leave it in primary the entire time (3-4 weeks) cutting your risk of infection way down and then just cold crash the primary for 2 or 3 days. It will be just as clear and the flavors will be better. IMO..

 

[VegasBrew]

Aye, no secondary is better. Only reason for secondary is only one fermenter HAHA! Gotta get a cream ale going for B-Day party.

VB

 

[Nuggethead]

Aye, no secondary is better. Only reason for secondary is only one fermenter HAHA! Gotta get a cream ale going for B-Day party.

VB

If I'm not dry hopping, I will also occasionally secondary to clear space for another primary when I am under time constraints. I try not to secondary but there are always variables.

 

[Broncoblue]

So is it worth cold crashing if you dont have your beer in a fridge. Meaning if I want to do that I have to carry the primary outside and let it sit for a few hours then carry it back in. Cold crashing may drop everything from suspension but I feel i will mix up the trub in the process therefore negating everything I was trying to do. Any thoughts?

 

[zmurda]

Can i cold crash in the keg? If i can do i have to transfer to another keg after?

 

[Nuggethead]

So is it worth cold crashing if you don't have your beer in a fridge. Meaning if I want to do that I have to carry the primary outside and let it sit for a few hours then carry it back in. Cold crashing may drop everything from suspension but I feel i will mix up the trub in the process therefore negating everything I was trying to do. Any thoughts?

Ya, good point. When I cold crash, I do it in my cooler. Then I rack to bucket or keg from there without moving it. In the winter, I crash on my work bench in the garage and rack to keg from there so nothing gets stirred up. If you have to move it around a lot like that, you would be better off racking to secondary to clear and then rack to a keg. Bottom line is, their is no set rule, you just have to go with what works for you and your equipment.

 

[Nuggethead]

Can i cold crash in the keg? If i can do i have to transfer to another keg after?

You won't have to transfer twice. Just be careful when you rack the first time so you don't suck up excessive junk. After it settles out in the keg, it will come out on your first pour or two.