Bottle Conditioning

[Sarenth]

I have read that you should bottle condition for a minimum of 3 weeks, does this take into account how long you let the secondary fermentation happen before bottling.

For instance, I have brewed a Brown Porter with an ABV 5% It sat in the primary for 2 weeks before I moved it into a secondary for 3 weeks. I bottled and carbonated the beer 2 weeks ago. While I could drink it now, would it be optimal to let it wait another week?

Cheers

 

[Cwrw666]

I'd say you can drink it now, the 3 weeks in secondary does count.

 

[Notlaw]

7 weeks for a 5% beer should be fine, get one cracked open.

 

[jceg316]

IT will probably be fine to drink - it will be carbed up and probably quite tasty. A brown porter will age really nicely in the bottle. I'd recommend saving a few bottles for the 6 month mark and seeing how they turned out.

 

[cheshirehomebrew]

Porters age better over time the longer you leave them the better and smoother the brew

 

[BeerisGOD]

good question and answers. always wondered if the extra week or two in primary or secondary counted
I know this thread didn't state four weeks in primary but as I don't secondary Im assuming this would still count providing care is taken after an ice bath, transferring the beer when batch priming

 

[Sandimas]

Do you normally leave your beers 3 weeks in the secondary? If I leave them in there longer than a week I suffer from lack of carbonation as all the yeast drops out.

As many other will say, patience is your friend - yes you can drink the beer now but it will get even better in the weeks and months ahead. I'm just drinking a 6% beer that's been in the bottle 14 months and it's lovely, much nicer than when it was first brewed.

 

[Sarenth]

Cheers for the info, I do not normally leave them that long in the secondary. I Just didn't have adequate time to bottle so it sat there for a little longer than expected.
As for the carbonation it seems spot on, which is quite surprising considering that the yeast should have settled out. I will be definitely try and hold on to a couple of these so I can age them. Will upload a picture later! It is quite delicious!

 

[johnnyboy1965]

If its clear in the bottle, then its drinkable. This is particulary (sp) good in Milds....young and fresh. Rule of ..the higher the gravity the longer the better