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Author Topic: conditioning time in keg  (Read 37221 times)

Offline DrewG

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conditioning time in keg
« on: May 14, 2012, 10:45:49 am »
Before now, I typically fermented 4 days or so until things slowed up, raised temp incrementally for 3 or 4 days to do a diacetyl rest, then returned to ferm temp for a few more days to finish conditioning, then cold crashed and bottled.

Now that I have a keg system, I'm wondering if I can cut some of that time in the carboy out, as I'm planning on letting it carb up under low c02 pressure in the keg (I think typically a week?)

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.
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Offline denny

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Re: conditioning time in keg
« Reply #1 on: May 14, 2012, 11:52:18 am »
Well, by my schedule, you're moving a lot faster than I do already.
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Offline DrewG

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Re: conditioning time in keg
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2012, 12:40:04 pm »
What does your typically fermentation schedule look like Denny (I know it varies depending on the beer, but just an average) ?
"Well, the Mexicans got a saying - what cannot be remedied must be endured."

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Offline jmcamerlengo

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Re: conditioning time in keg
« Reply #3 on: May 14, 2012, 12:58:13 pm »
For me its typically 2 weeks in the primary then straight to the keg. I crash chill the keg to 40F carbonate at that temp. Then condition in the keg as long as the beer style requires with the exception of big beers.
Jason
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Offline dbarber

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Re: conditioning time in keg
« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2012, 01:24:56 pm »
+1, I typically go 2 weeks for ales, 3 for lagers then straight to the keg.
Dave Barber
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Offline Joe Sr.

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Re: conditioning time in keg
« Reply #5 on: May 14, 2012, 01:32:42 pm »
I rarely get my beers out of the carboy in under four weeks.  After which I keg them.
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Offline DrewG

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Re: conditioning time in keg
« Reply #6 on: May 14, 2012, 02:10:53 pm »
Quote
I rarely get my beers out of the carboy in under four weeks.  After which I keg them.

Why 4 weeks? I'm just curious, not doubting anyone's technique or process, btw
"Well, the Mexicans got a saying - what cannot be remedied must be endured."

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Offline Joe Sr.

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Re: conditioning time in keg
« Reply #7 on: May 14, 2012, 02:13:38 pm »
I have three small children and not enough time for brewing.

I also tend to brew larger beers and like to give them some time to finish and settle.

But the main reason is simply time management.  Or the lack thereof.

Probably a topic for a different thread, but I've found that my yeast gets less flocculent after the second generation, which leads to more time for clarifying.
It's all in the reflexes. - Jack Burton

Offline denny

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Re: conditioning time in keg
« Reply #8 on: May 14, 2012, 02:14:09 pm »
What does your typically fermentation schedule look like Denny (I know it varies depending on the beer, but just an average) ?

3-4 weeks in primary, then keg usually.  Sometimes, if I need to add other fermentables or I'm not happy with the clarity, I rack to secondary for 4-7 days.
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Offline mesabrewery

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Re: conditioning time in keg
« Reply #9 on: May 21, 2012, 02:18:49 pm »
Sounds like I'm right on average...

2 weeks in primary, then straight to keg...I have a good pipeline, so I usually naturally carbonate for 2 weeks in the keg

If I am doing something with fruit, I will move to a secondary for a week for better clarity

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Offline jds357

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Re: conditioning time in keg
« Reply #10 on: May 23, 2012, 07:47:25 pm »
For ales I will leave in the primary for 10-14 days then rack to a keg.  For force carbonation, I cash cool and then FC, serving about a week after.  For natural keg conditioning, I'll leave it at room temperature for 3 weeks, then crash cool.  I'll let settle/ clarify after that for three days before I drink it. 

The time allowed is style dependent and brewer personal preference in my opinion. 

Jonathan

Offline jimrod

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Re: conditioning time in keg
« Reply #11 on: June 05, 2012, 01:14:18 am »
You guys are real fast, I keep the primary for 3 or 4 weeks and then keg condition for 6 to 8 more before I drink them. I can taste the aging.
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Offline beerlord

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Re: conditioning time in keg
« Reply #12 on: June 05, 2012, 08:05:36 pm »
I try to single primary ferment for 3 weeks, give or take a few days but I dry hop a lot and feel the 3 weeks help. 
Also, when I've fermented for only 2, I've found my beers to green and I have longer time in the kegerator.  Bottom line, either way for me, It's usually about 4 weeks from boil to first, good, tasty beer.
Sometimes I naturally carbonate but I'm quickly moving past that.

Offline DrewG

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Re: conditioning time in keg
« Reply #13 on: June 06, 2012, 05:51:38 am »
I'm starting to get a feel for which ones I can move along and which ones I can't. Was a little disappointed in a smoked porter I did, and after some time sitting in the keg, it's improved a LOT.
"Well, the Mexicans got a saying - what cannot be remedied must be endured."

-Barbarosa

Offline kylekohlmorgen

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Re: conditioning time in keg
« Reply #14 on: June 07, 2012, 08:23:27 am »
Yep - I love conditioning in the keg.

It takes up less space, frees up a carboy, and is a LOT easier to purge before racking. I clarify, dryhop, and add fruit right in the keg.

Lagering is easy too, since you can use your kegerator instead of your temp control for primary fermentation.

When I pull a keg out that didnt turn out too well at first, try it again and its much improved - THAT's one of the great feelings in homebrewing!
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