Bottle Conditioning

[trendmere]

Can anyone please advise as to what is the best temp to bottle condition beer and then store it, how long do you what before you start drinking it?Thanks

[tygo]

I'm usually not happy with the carbonation level and condition of bottle conditioned beer until about two weeks at room temp (~65-70F).  That's for a moderate gravity beer (say up to 1.070 or so).

Higher gravity beers may take longer.  I give my really high gravity ales two months to condition before I feel like they're where they need to be.

[dannyjed]

What tygo said

[davidgzach]

+1

[mtnrockhopper]

Room temp for two weeks usually works. If not then there is probably something wrong with the yeast. Ideally, the beer can be stored cooler after that though.

[erockrph]

My SOP is 2 weeks at room temp, then I'll put one in the fridge for 2 days and check to make sure the carbonation is where I want it. If I'm happy with the carbonation, then it goes to my basement for storage.

If you need to rush things along, you can invert the bottles once or twice a day for the first week or so. That may shave a few days off the time needed to get you to acceptable carbonation levels.

[weithman5]

i go two weeks in at room temp.  one bottle is usually a 20 oz plastic pepsi bottle.  (they are in the dark),  i can then tell if there is yeast formation in the bottom (usually check at one week as well) and also if the bottle is hard to indicate pressure build up.

[Joe Sr.]

one bottle is usually a 20 oz plastic pepsi bottle.  (they are in the dark),  i can then tell if there is yeast formation in the bottom (usually check at one week as well) and also if the bottle is hard to indicate pressure build up.

This is pure genius.

[sch21c]

i go two weeks in at room temp.  one bottle is usually a 20 oz plastic pepsi bottle.  (they are in the dark),  i can then tell if there is yeast formation in the bottom (usually check at one week as well) and also if the bottle is hard to indicate pressure build up.

Interesting idea.  Is this purely for monitoring?  Or do you drink this bottle too?  I'd be concerned about not having a truly airtight seal.  Are you just screwing the cap on?

[weithman5]

oh i drink them. they are fine. it is the first one i drink.  i have no problem with the seal. i just twist it on tightly and that is that.

also peel the label off, my wife "accidentally" opened my dunkel by "mistake"

[drummerboyseth]

i go two weeks in at room temp.  one bottle is usually a 20 oz plastic pepsi bottle.  (they are in the dark),  i can then tell if there is yeast formation in the bottom (usually check at one week as well) and also if the bottle is hard to indicate pressure build up.

I also use the plastic soda bottle method.  It is an excellent gauge of whether the beer is developing carbonation.  Most of my brews will pressurize the plastic bottle 4 days to 2 weeks after bottling.  I have found the beer is usually properly carbonated about one week after the plastic bottle becomes rock-hard from carbonation pressure.  I think this has to do with the fact that the beer will make carbon dioxide fairly quickly, but that the CO2 needs time to get into suspension. (Think about force carbing a keg...  It takes a few days after the pressure is applied to the keg for that gas to become carbonation)

The plastic bottle seems to hold carbonation VERY well.  I have found myself thinking that I may bottle 6 or 12 bottles from each batch in plastic soda bottles to facilitate ease of transport and use at non-glass-friendly venues such as sporting events and the beach.

[weithman5]

i also have been thinking of just using plastic or at least more of them. i can toss them after a use or two. only worry for me has been light but i do keep them in the dark.

[dcdwort]

Since the average temp of my basement where I store my bottles is around 60-64, I usually wait 4 weeks.  I start sampling at 2 weeks, 3 weeks, but usually they get better with age.  Most of my beer is comsumed within 6 months of bottling so I don't know what is too long to let it set.  I also try to save a couple of bottles from the old batch to compare with the next batch brewed of that particular recipe.  Alway good to know if you can duplicate your recipes.

[trendmere]

Thanks for all the replies . Just a little clarity after the beer is carbonated, what is the optimum temp to hold the beer at before consumption I work in the meat and produce industry and am blessed with all kinda of refrigeration.

[weithman5]

every beer i brew goes from bottling to the back of the fridge for about 60 days.  once in a while i have lost patience and nipped one early.  i lager everything. they come out clear as long as i don't disturb the yeast.