Is my IPA ready to bottle?

according to your link, the estimated FG is 1.017, so fermentation appears to be done, you can leave it a few more days and let the yeast do a little more work cleaning up, but if you really need to get the bottling done, you should be ok to do it now, especially with an IPA

 

How many days has it been in the fermenter? Have you taken two successive gravitometer readings without change in gravity?

Generally after 14 days I consider the possibility of bottling. On an optimal schedule, I bottle and brew every week, with two batches fermenting at any given time, bottling any given beer after two weeks. You could go shorter in a pinch, but really not much shorter. If you need to go shorter than 14 days, consider the questions above before doing so.

 

I would split the difference with at least a ten day fermentation if it were me. I really don't think the yeast is completely done cleaning up the by-products of fermentation yet. There's also some possibility the yeast could go a few points lower on the gravity. If you haven't checked the gravity, which after only one week, I hope you haven't, I would check it today if you intend to bottle this one early. Then check it in a couple days to make sure it's done. Two weeks in primary is fine for an average gravity IPA, one week is really pushing it.

As a general rule, I make a few 12 oz bottles for use as test bottles when I bottle a batch. I check the first one after a week or so. It's very rare that they're not carbed up pretty good by then (optimal carbonation is usually 2-3 weeks tho).

 

You might just want to let this one miss the party...It could be ready in time, but even after 10ish days in the bottle it might still be tasting a little green. Have a Plan B.

 

I'm with sjverla... I don't think you'll make it bottle conditioning it.. Kegging it would have it carbed if it's done, but it'll be green and won't taste like it should I would imagine.

I'd take a gravity reading in 2-3 days and see if it's 1.017 still.. If so, it's done, and move on accordingly.

You'd hate to bottle it now, rush it along, and take it to the party and then you have green beer, that is over carbed, gushing everywhere and then flat what bit people get to drink.

 

I agree with the other nay-sayers . . . it is not ready to bottle. From the details you posted; you want to bottle in one week and serve at three. The probability of this working is low. If you serve green poorly-carbed beer, everyone will be disappointed and your rep as a brewer will suffer. Lose-lose.

I recommend serving some Dogfish or Stone at your party and advising everyone you have some killer IPA that is conditioning and will be ready next month. Win-win.

 

What does 'air lock activity' have to do with whether the wort is done fermenting?

 

This really is the better plan.

If you do decide to go ahead, and you check the gravity and it's moved, then it's not done and you can't bottle anyway. However, a non-moving gravity doesn't ensure that yeast are done cleaning up by-products.

 

One gravity reading that happens to match a recipe FG (or the changed recipe FG to match was what measured!)doesn't mean attenuation is done. A second reading 2 days later would confirm.

Your beer will be done (including cleanup) when it's done. It doesn't know about your party. Have you tasted it?

 

OK, I'll be the lone dissenter.

If you've pitched enough healthy and viable yeast, and you know your FG hasn't moved in 2-3 days - I think it should be fine to bottle and most of cleanup will be done. Especially for an IPA, where freshness is key. Definitely taste it though before you bottle to make sure there's nothing funny going on. Although - if you aren't taking the time to dry hop your IPA - you might be missing something when it comes to aroma...?

Bottle carbonation in 2 weeks is damn near impossible though. I'm usually much better at 3 vs 2, and even then another week or two usually helps.

 

“Bottle carbonation in 2 weeks is damn near impossible though. I'm usually much better at 3 vs. 2, and even then another week or two usually helps.”

My IPAs are typically fully carbonated after 2 weeks in the bottle but they do not reach their peak until another 2-3 weeks. In other words, I would recommend that you not drink your IPA until it has spent at least 3-4 weeks in the bottle.

Cheers!

P.S. I do drink 1 IPA at the 2 week mark as a Quality Assurance 'check'.