6 replies to this topic

[Bevo]

I have my kolsch in the primary around 65df, how long should I go before taking a reading? Do you guys think I should use a secondary?

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

I have my kolsch in the primary around 65df, how long should I go before taking a reading? Do you guys think I should use a secondary?

I pretty much give all my ales a minimum of 2 weeks to be on the safe side before taking a reading.

[BarefootBrews]

What yeast are you using to get the job done? Do you primary in a plastic bucket, better bottle, glass carboy, etc? Those being asked, I also give my ales a minimum of 2 weeks to ferment. I generally skip secondary fermentation unless I have a specific need to secondary such as dry hopping. When I was bottle carbonating, I would almost always secondary to reduce the amount of trub that ended up in my bottles.

[Bevo]

What yeast are you using to get the job done? Do you primary in a plastic bucket, better bottle, glass carboy, etc? Those being asked, I also give my ales a minimum of 2 weeks to ferment. I generally skip secondary fermentation unless I have a specific need to secondary such as dry hopping. When I was bottle carbonating, I would almost always secondary to reduce the amount of trub that ended up in my bottles.

I am using US-05 In a plastic bucket.

[Deerslyr]

US-05 is a quick fermenting yeast. I'm usually done with primary at around day 10 to 12. Usually at this point is when I would take a gravity reading, wait a day or two and then take another. Assuming no change, I'll transfer to a secondary for about a week to let it clear a bit and then go to bottling (now kegging). If there is a change, I would leave it for a few more days. Here's a tip with 05... if you readings are down to between 1.010 and 1.008, then that's about as far as you can get. You were using extract, so unless you've got a bug that's likely going to be it. I had an aggressive fermentation one time on a second generation 05 and was down to my FG in 72 hours. I left it on the yeast cake for a while, but yeah, it can be quick.I would, however, let the bottles condition for a good period of time... a minimum of 2 weeks.

[Thirsty]

I have my kolsch in the primary around 65df, how long should I go before taking a reading? Do you guys think I should use a secondary?

A nice kolsch should make you feel like you are drinking a lager not an ale. Most examples of the style are brilliantly clear, and to get that you need to lager the ale. Secondary it at as cold a temperature as you can, for as long as you can to get a nice clear beer. (generally 4-8 weeks!)A tough one when it is your first batch. I am going to guess that this may be impossible for you to do- and rightfully it should be- you want to drink your beer now! I do not blame you and if anyone says they didnt feel the same way they are lying. Knowing how hard it will be to wait, at least set a couple bottles aside and promise yourself you will not drink them for 3 months. When you finally do drink these- a new appreciation for self control will be evident.

[Deerslyr]

A nice kolsch should make you feel like you are drinking a lager not an ale. Most examples of the style are brilliantly clear, and to get that you need to lager the ale. Secondary it at as cold a temperature as you can, for as long as you can to get a nice clear beer. (generally 4-8 weeks!)A tough one when it is your first batch. I am going to guess that this may be impossible for you to do- and rightfully it should be- you want to drink your beer now! I do not blame you and if anyone says they didnt feel the same way they are lying. Knowing how hard it will be to wait, at least set a couple bottles aside and promise yourself you will not drink them for 3 months. When you finally do drink these- a new appreciation for self control will be evident.

I thought about the time thing, knowing that it was calling it a Kolsch, but given that he is not using a Kolsch yeast and is in fact using a quick, clean yeast (US-05), I don't know that he needs to necessarily wait for best results. That being said, I do agree he should "reserve" a few bottles.