Fermentation

[Brew Hicky]

Good Day Everyone,

I brewed an Anchor Steam Clone about 16 days ago using west coast ale yeast. I have been keeping it in my basment at a constant 58 degrees and it is happily burbling along. I am curious as to how long it will ferment at this temp. There is still krausen and it seems happy. I guess my question is when should I rack it over to a secondary?

Thanks in advance. I know you guys know all about this stuff. I've only brewed 4 batches so far and they have all turned out great.

Thanks again
Ron

[BrewDog]

Welcome-

I know that this is a crappy answer, but the answer is "till it's done". You can't rush the yeast. They work on their schedule, not yours. The cold temp will cause it to take longer than it would at warmer temps, but you can expect a much cleaner beer than if you did it at ale temps.

As a rough estimate, plan on leaving it on the yeast for 3 weeks. That should give you 2 weeks for the krausen to fall, and another week for the yeast to clean things up afterwards.

3 weeks may be shorter than needed, or longer, you just don't know. Measure the gravity to be sure, and it's better to err on the side of leaving it too long than too short.

HTH-

[corkybstewart]

Welcome also.
BD knows his stuff. 3 weeks would be a minimum for this beer at 58F, but it should be well worth the wait. What works best for me is at least one week after my FG gets as low as it should. If I'm busy I may leave it 2 weeks, it really won't hurt anything.
After that put it in secondary for a couple of weeks and you should have an excellent beer. I usually suggest skipping secondary, but if you bottle it may help clear your beer and leave some sediment out of the bottle. After you bottle it you may want to put it in a warmer place for carbonating.

[Brew Hicky]

Yeah thats kinda what I was thinkin but need some reassurance. I was just enjoying one of my IPA's that I have in the bottles. Did a Brewers best kit and dumped in 1 oz of Amarillos at flame-out and then dry hopped it wit another ounce in the secondary.

I think I got to do this one again as it is disappering faster than it got ready to drink.

I also have an American amber (that my best buddy just loves) and a belgian that are in the bottles as well. Though not much of the amber left. I am looking forward to tring out this Steam beer it smells great.

I think I'll give it another week before I take any gravity readings. Don't want to be in and out of it too much.

Thanks again for the info and the warm welcome
:)

[beerking]

BH, sounds like you need to build up some stock so you can let your stuff mature better.

I prescribe 1 week of straight brewing everyday so you have enough batches finished that you can keep up with your drinking (and giving away) habits in the future. It'll take a few extra fermenters, and bottles, but you'll put yourself so far ahead it'll probably take years to catch up.

That's about what I did many years ago. Problem is, I am beginning to need another week, and I have enough aging that will mean all new bottles. I just don't know where to put them all!

<g>

[corkybstewart]

Originally posted by beerking
BH, sounds like you need to build up some stock so you can let your stuff mature better.

I prescribe 1 week of straight brewing everyday so you have enough batches finished that you can keep up with your drinking (and giving away) habits in the future. It'll take a few extra fermenters, and bottles, but you'll put yourself so far ahead it'll probably take years to catch up.

That's about what I did many years ago. Problem is, I am beginning to need another week, and I have enough aging that will mean all new bottles. I just don't know where to put them all!

<g>
I had 2 days of Labor Day parties for my employees-since they work 24 hours on, 24 off half of them came over, Sunday, half on Monday. Then Oktoberfest 3 weeks later and I was out of beer(kind of). I planned on a busy brewing season last fall but the temps stayed in the 90's until November and I'm just now recovering and stocking up. Luckily I've had plenty of store bought stuff between my kids giving me beer and the Rare Beer of The Month Club.

[beerking]

Originally posted by corkybstewart
Luckily I've had plenty of store bought stuff between my kids giving me beer and the Rare Beer of The Month Club.

I assume you are talking about the MJ Rare Beer Club. I LOVE that club. They are so friendly and helpful, and I have been a member since inception. I have gotten so many GREAT beers from them, and so many beers not available anywhere else.

I did return two bottles of the Simpatico because I thought it did not live up to standards. They took it, no questions asked, and refunded the $ (actually, I opted to have two other bottles sent, but they would have done either). I also asked them not to send the Wrasslers this month, since I still have some from the previous shipment and did think it was worth getting more.

Have you aged any of the Matilda? When I first got it, it thought it was pretty good, but after about 3 months it was FANTASTIC. I have ordered 3 more. (OBTW, they told me yesterday that they had about 15 left).

I also had a bottle of the Deus this New Year's Eve. I had aged it since they sent it to me in 2003, and it had aged to an AMAZING beer, one ot the best I have ever had.

[Brew Hicky]

My goodness sounds like you guys drink more than I do (just kiddin). Well really don't drink that much, 1 maybe 2 a day couple more if I'm drinkin with my buddy.

I do have some store bought Sam Adams mostly i got a case for 20$ @ costco.

My biggest problem is I just love beer & food & good wine & etc etc etc you get the picture.

I bought another secondary fermenter and my Uncle has a primary I can borrow so, I'm gonna brew a couple more batches and try to get ahead of the power curve on this beer thing. But I suspect that I'm gonna have to go to a kegging system soon because its gonna take a lot of bottling to stay ahead.

Ron

[B_rad1969]

I know a lot of people don't like the Sam Adams, but I do like the SA.:) I brew 10 gal. at a time and keg it, it seems to last forever. I have a few a week and I'm also counting the Black & Tans which I have yet to master. My 10 gal. lasts until I get tired of it and pitch it... Yeah I know... throw away beer??? I have 2 kegs and when I need a clean one and I'm too lazy to bottle it, the fish get it. I'm going to dish out some advise... and I PROMISE to follow it too... DRINK MORE BEER!!!