WLP005, Brown Ale questions

[office888]

Here's the recipe I used:
6.6 lbs Amber Extract
1 lb Crystal
1 lb Chocolate
1 oz Northern Brewer @ 0
1 oz Williamette @ 30
Whirlfloc tab @ 45
1 oz Williamette @ 60 (end)

I used WLP005 British Ale yeast, which from what I've read, is a bottom fermenting ale yeast. Also, from what I've read, if you rack to secondary, you'll lose a lot of fermentation, so I just kept it in primary.

This batch has been in the primary since August 26th. So, today is about the 11th day in the primary. The fermentation started to settle down on about the 8th day.

When should I begin bottling / aging? There's still an occasionally burp and bubble or two through the airlock.

Also, I'm a bit confused on the bottling process...can somebody link me to a thread on it?

Thanks for the help fellas!

(No, I don't have a gravity hydrometer, it's on my to-buy list)

 

[xiang]

The general rule when using just a primary fermenter is to let it go for 21 days. The yeast need a portion of that time to clean up after themselves.

A link for Bottling Tips. I hope this helps.

Also, get yourself an hydrometer or refractometer when you can. Don't rely on airlock activity to tell you when fermentation has begun or has completed.

 

[joelmole]

I'm sure you have your hop schedule right, but I'd get in the habit of expressing the additions the opposite way that you have them, like this:

1 oz Northern Brewer @ 60
1 oz Williamette @ 30
Whirlfloc tab @ 15
1 oz Williamette @ 0 (knockout)

Where the number expresses how much time you have left in the boil. Recipes are typically written this way so it might help avoid confusion.

 

[xiang]

I'm sure you have your hop schedule right, but I'd get in the habit of expressing the additions the opposite way that you have them, like this:

1 oz Northern Brewer @ 60
1 oz Williamette @ 30
Whirlfloc tab @ 15
1 oz Williamette @ 0 (knockout)

Where the number expresses how much time you have left in the boil. Recipes are typically written this way so it might help avoid confusion.

+1 to that