time constraint, but fermentation isn't finished

bubbling means nothing - could be off-gassing...especially since you're currently dry-hopping.

Sounds like you're probably just going to finish high. Check the gravity again on Friday and if it's still 1019, then fermentation is complete and you can bottle.

 

I think both options are useful, bottle only enough for the party and use a bit less priming sugar.

 

Not to be argumentative, but there's no point in doing either of these if fermentation is confirmed to be complete via two static hydro readings two days apart...

Of course, if the reading on Friday is another point or two lower, then it might still be fermenting. But even then, bottling is a risk with any amount of priming sugar if fermentation is incomplete. I probably wouldn't recommend it.

 

This is probably not what you want to hear . . . but . . . I would bring a case of SN Celebration to your office party (Dec 17) with an invitation to drink some really good homebrew during the College Football Playoff (Jan 12). From your description, it will be almost impossible to have something taste good in the time frame you mentioned. Delaying it 3-4 weeks may save your reputation (and no one complains about Celebration).

 

If the beer is transferred to a secondary then you have removed the bulk of the yeast and it is done fermenting, whether the yeast were done or not. If there were still more sugars to be fermented they won't be now. When your transferred the beer you removed the yeast that would have finished fermenting the beer (as well as clean up any off flavors). As far as the bubbling is concerned that is simply CO2 in suspension coming out of solution which is normal, especially with a nucleation sight in there (the hops).

 

Well I think according what OP has stated above that fermentation is not complete yet, based on his previous experience with a same kit, aside this ,it is a good advice from you to take a gravity read before bottling(he needs to bottle anyway because he has not enough time)but in case FG is 1019 still we don´t know if fermentation is finished or stuck, in the latter case could be very risky to bottle, so it coud not harm anything just to bottle what he needs for the party using a bit less priming sugar because he has not enough time to assure a complete carbonation , then wait more time for rest of beer giving the fermentor a gentle shake every once in a while to arouse yeasties to finish its job.In case FG is 1018-1017 fermentation is still active but we don´t know if it is finished , he needs to bottle anyways so again I would recommend to bottle just the beers needed for the party using a bit less priming sugar .
I don´t think he is going to get bottle bombs for that.

Sorry for my english , sometimes is very difficult to me to say things clearly

 

I offer the most expensive, but safest (no exploding bottles) solution; buy a kegging kit. Put beer in keg and force carbonate. Weekend before party, bottle the beer from the keg.

If beer is still fermenting out in keg, it will never reach the max pressure of the keg. and just release the air from the pressure relief valve if over carbonated.

 

Do yourself a huge favor and don't bring your home-brewed IPA to the holiday party.
It won't be anywhere near ready-for-primetime.

The timing from this holiday party brew is all wrong.
Two weeks in the bottle is usually enough time to carbonate but it's no where near enough time to condition properly.

Bring some in to the office for Jackson-Lee / MLK day.

 

^ i am pretty sure they dont celebrate generals day in Mass. but being a yankee whos a government employee in VA i dont mind that we do.