I noticed my airlock quit bubbling today. It has been fermenting 7 days. The instructions say to keep it in the fermentation bucket for 2 weeks. I check the FG and it is 1.012 which is what the instruction say it should be after 2 weeks. My question is.... should I go ahead and keep it in the bucket for the remainder of the time the instruction suggested or go ahead and start the bottling process. Thanks, Dave
The yeast do not operate by calendar. They are still working to clean up and absorb stuff you do not want. Leave it alone for another week (2 more weeks would be even mo' betta'). Begin figuring out and collecting ingredients for your second batch so you can brew on or soon after bottling day. Get a pipeline going. It helps dealing with the real conditions called bottling fatigue and carbonation/conditioning depression that many of us struggle through. Congratulations and I hope it meets your expectations.
Thanks for the link PortLargo, That is some good reading. I will definitely let it go the full 2 weeks so the beer will get the proper conditioning. Thanks again everyone.
Unfortunately, there is no cure, but you can treat the symptoms with commercial beer. Prevention is definitely preferred, and cheaper.
2 week ferment, 1 week bottle condition, depending on the style. For the lighter 5-6% abv beers, 3 weeks is not a bad turn around time. It all depends on what kind of beer you're brewing, but if this makes you feel any better I've had beers that had nice carbonation even after 5-6 days in the bottle. Specifically lighter, weizen styles.
