basic questions

[rich]

Yeah, so I think I am the newest newborn there is when it comes to brewing. I picked up a kit 2 weeks ago, and brewed up a five gallon batch last weekend. It was fun, and already I am looking forward to handing out samples, as well as the next batch. But I have to admit that there are a lot of grey areas that I'd thought I'd put in question form, and post. If you have the patience for this calibur of questions, your feedback would be appreciated.

First, I was curious how long it will be till it is time to bottle. I found that the kit came with a guide that said to let the fermentation process proceed for a week, then the instructions that came with the beer stated 2 to 3 days. The ingredients were for a nut brown ale. Do different types of beers require longer or shorter fermentation periods?

Also, I was curious if it would be better to let the beer age in a cool dark basement, or a refrigerator. I can do both, but am curious if one is better than the other.

Here's another crowd stopping question for ya. Is there any risk to the beer if, immediately after bottling, the brew was transported by vehicle to a long term storage? In other words, is it a bad idea to shake the newly bottled beer up?

These are just a few of the most basic questions you've probably ever heard. If you have any feedback or suggestions, it would be appreciated. Thanks.

[ray m]

Welcome to the addiction, Rich!! Since your first few brews will probably be medium strength ales, I would recommend 7 to 10 days go by before bottling---you should be OK after this period of time without worrying about potential bottle bombs. Keep an eye on your airlock--when bubbles are at @ 50 to 60 sec. intervals, you're good to go. When you get more hard core into brewing, you may be more comfortable gauging when fermentation is done by using a hydrometer---but I started out just keeping an eye on the airlock bubbles. You will also be brewing stronger & more complex brews that will require additional fermentation time.

A dark area of your house with a temp. @ 68* or so is best for carbonation. A fridge is NOT the place to store your newly bottled brew, because the yeast need a somewhat warm place to get to work again on the priming sugar so the brew will carbonate. A real cool place like a fridge will cause the yeast to go dormant. You will need at least a couple of weeks for proper carbonation to be achieved. Be patient!!!

I really don't know how to answer your "transport" question. You'll probably be OK as long you're not planning on going 4 wheelin' in an abandoned granite pit with your brew in the back of the vehicle...

[Beerconnoisseur]

Originally posted by rich
First, I was curious how long it will be till it is time to bottle. I found that the kit came with a guide that said to let the fermentation process proceed for a week, then the instructions that came with the beer stated 2 to 3 days. The ingredients were for a nut brown ale. Do different types of beers require longer or shorter fermentation periods?

Also, I was curious if it would be better to let the beer age in a cool dark basement, or a refrigerator. I can do both, but am curious if one is better than the other.

Here's another crowd stopping question for ya. Is there any risk to the beer if, immediately after bottling, the brew was transported by vehicle to a long term storage? In other words, is it a bad idea to shake the newly bottled beer up?

Most ale yeasts require 2 weeks to ferment. Most lager yeasts require 2 months or more, at constant cool temperatures. Lagers, predictably, are harder to make, and I would try one after you've brewed 10-15 batches of ale, assuming you have the right equipment (refridgerator temperature controller, as well as a primary and secondary fermenter).

Bottling then lasts 2 weeks, to allow the yeast to convert the sugar to carbon dioxide.

As for transporting brew, I've successfully transported 3 different styles more than 1100 miles, by car. So no, there's virtually no risk involved. I'd let them settle for an hour or so, though, once you are done moving them, just to let any free-floating yeast settle down a bit.

I've also attached a recommended equipment list, that you might want to look at. Welcome to the hobby! :)

[mmmBeer...]

Welcome Rich…I just wanted to say hi, as I think the 2 previous posts answer your questions.

The only thing with transporting them is to make sure you keep the beer out of direct sunlight i.e. don’t put them in the back seat for 5 hours with the sun pouring down on them
:)

[michaewa]

I'm probably the second or third newest here, wanted to chime in also.

My first batch was about 5 days in primary, another 6 or 7 in secondary, then bottled. I tasted one about four days after and it was good but still pretty 'green.' I'm now about two weeks out and it is tasting great. For ales I think a good guideline (if you don't want to stare at the airlock and hydrometer) is one week primary / one week secondary / two weeks in the bottle.

Be forewarned - this is an addictive hobby. Since my first batch, I've brewed three more, ordered two more kits, and helped my girlfriend start two batches of wine. Now to find some bottles...

Have fun.

[sallad]

a question about your long term storage: do you have any control over the temp? if its one of those rental garage places, does it roast in the sun and get very hot in there? storing your beer over about 80F is a bad idea!

michaewa- growing a bottle collection is easy and fun! buy lots of good beer at your local beer distro, and just make sure whatever you buy is not in twist-off bottles!

[michaewa]

I agree it is fun - especially if you empty the bottles yourself! :)

I've just been trying to find a place to buy empties at a reasonable price to catch up with my production, which has been agressive the past few weeks. Prices around here are $10-12 bucks a case for new empties, which seems out of whack when I can spend $20 and get a case of New Belgium bottles full of beer!

I'm also trying Toney's suggestion of getting in good with local bartenders.

[kevin]

Also a newbie but I hear a 1, 2, 3 rule was one week in primary, 2 weeks in secondary and 3 weeks in bottle.
I don't know if this is good practice but it sound resonable.

I also bought some Sam Adams in cases to drink while waiting on my batches to finish. Got bottles, got beer..

[mmmBeer...]

Seems everyone does it a little differently. For me it is 1 week in primary, a minimum of 2 weeks (usually 3) in secondary then 2 weeks in the bottle.

[jsmurphy]

I've been getting friends to save their empties, and also I've been using larger bottles, like Martinellis Apple Juice (25 oz), which works with my capper. Bigger bottles=less bottles= a good thing :)

[mcarlson74]

I usually do about 1 in the primary. Depending on my schedule about 1 in the secondary. Then the hardest part of all is 2 weeks in the bottle. I have found though that 3 is better in the bottle. I usually have a hard time waitiing though. Prime example is this weekend I had some of my stout that had only been in the bottle for 1 week. It was still the best stout I had ever had. And yes I have had Guiness in England. Oh and Rich welcome to the addiction that just gets worse and worse. You thought you liked beer now, you ain't seen nothin' yet.

[YamahaXS]

Hi Rich.

different beers / yeast ferment at different rates.

I think the 1/2/3 or a 1/2/2 rule is pretty good. the hardest part of that first batch is not messing with it and being patient.

Direct your brew energy at selecting and starting a second batch.

Cheers and beers.

[Fast_Eddy]

Originally posted by YamahaXS
..
Direct your brew energy at selecting and starting a second batch.
...

Welcome Rich and you really should heed the above advice.

[mmmBeer...]

I third that...and this is why the hobby is soooo addictive!:D

[Aleman]

My rule for fermenting ales is one week in the primary, two weeks in the secondary and four weeks in the bottle. I sneak an early taste at times, but four weeks in the bottle really helps.

As for bottles, early on I offered a swap of one homebrew for six reusable bottles (non-twistoff). All my friends were bring bottles. I have run out of space to store them. I must have twenty cases I have collected over the last year.

[rich]

Guys... thanks a hell of a lot for all the quick feedback. At the rate I was going (I'm impatient as hell with most things) I would have been bottling up today. I'll definitely give it some time now.
In terms of the transport question, actually the ride will only be about 20 minutes, from my studio apartment, to the basement of a family member's house. So from the sounds of your feedback, it shouldn't be all that bad.
Regarding empties, it's funny you guys brought that up, since last night I was sitting in a local bar with my girl (today's my day off) and I was discussing with the bartender the prospects of picking up some of their empties. I was even willing to pay for the deposits, but the guy was like 'just take em.'
Anyway, thanks again for the feedback. It was really helpful. But I'll warn you now. I have a feeling there will be other postings with further pre-k questions as things progress.
Happy Brewing.

[tubetek]

Howdy and welcome aboard-
I go 1,2,3 with ales at 68f.
As for bottles, find a good mexican restaurante and tip the bartender. Then, ask him to save the Pacifico Clara bottles for you for a day or 2. They are the perfect shape/size, they're brown and seem to be a little thicker than most american micro bottles...
Enjoy

[rich]

Hey, how's it going?
Just wanted to follow up on how the batch went. I bottled it up last week, which was all in all a cool experience... particularly to see all those finished, capped bottles. Very cool.
Anyway, I had a buddy and his wife over last night, and we busted out a couple of the home brew, and it was actually really good. I figure I'll let the rest of the batch age for another 2 weeks or so, but even at this point, it was some good beer.

Again, thanks a lot for all the helpful suggestions.

[YamahaXS]

Congrats you are now a homebrewer!



You better get that next batch going pronto. That beer will DISAPPEAR faster than you think. :D

[Fast_Eddy]

Originally posted by YamahaXS
Congrats you are now a homebrewer!....

... And therefore, hopelessly insane :eek:

[mcarlson74]

Welcome to the asylum :D .

[jsmurphy]

Originally posted by YamahaXS
You better get that next batch going pronto. That beer will DISAPPEAR faster than you think. :D

Truer words were never spoken. I just bottled my DunkleWeizen last night, and I have only about 8 bottles of my previous Ale batch left.
8 bottles to last 2 weeks? Plus, I wanted to save a couple of bottles longer.
AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!

Lesson learned. I'm buying ingredients for my next batch Friday.