It's ALPHA brew day...my first batch!

[gwapogorilla]

actually, you are so right. I just finished the last of it, and the orange flavor really came out. It was not bitter, but just right. But really, I just can't seem to keep any set aside...between me and family/friends, it went pretty quick.

[Detmurds]

Was just wondering,..do you remember what temperature you pitched the yeast at,..how did you cool it,..and how long did it take to cool?  Thanks.

[gwapogorilla]

The yeast was spinning on a stir plate for 24 hours before I pitched...my notes say it was at 71* F. I do full volume boils and use a wort chiller. I chilled the wort to 71* to match the yeast temp. Since it was in a plastic bucket, I wasn't able to see any visual signs of fermentation for better than 24 hours. I have since moved on to a 6.5 gallon glass carboy as my primary. Now I see activity in 12 hours or less.

[Detmurds]

Hey,..thanks for the reply,..can't wait to see how you like it when it is done.

[gwapogorilla]

It's done...and gone already. I found out that if you let beer age a little, the flavors REALLY come out. I tried a bottle 21 days after bottling...so it was fully carbed. It was OK at best. Then I waited 10 days more...WOW! The orange really came out in it and the head stability improved 3 fold! 

[Detmurds]

I know how you feel,..I did an IPA,..bottled it,..seemed like it took forever to carb,..by the time it carbonated nicely,..with the flavor even better,..I think I had about 6 left,..but I enjoyed them like no other!

[KipDM]

I know how you feel,..I did an IPA,..bottled it,..seemed like it took forever to carb,..by the time it carbonated nicely,..with the flavor even better,..I think I had about 6 left,..but I enjoyed them like no other!

not sure what temp you and Gwap are bottle conditioning at ut i do it at 67-73 degrees and the carbonation is fine after 10 days. beer not mature but it's carbonated.

btw have bottled my Dry Stout, racked my Black IPA to the secondary tonight while i was steeping grains on my India Brown Ale (just hit the fermenter about 30 minutes ago.

also, i use plastic bottling bucket as my primary (until i can get 2 6.5 gallon glass carboys) and i see activity always within 12 hours unless i am fermenting REALLY low temps. of course i either pitch a liquid AND dry yeast packet or i pitch 2 dry yeast packets (3 packs for the IBA). sometimes i remember to rehydrate the dry yeast before pitching but usually i don't bother.

[Detmurds]

My temps are always in perfect range.  My porter carbs quickly,..but for me, it is the IPA that usually takes at least 2 to 3 weeks to carbed the way I like it.