Cold conditioning

[cwrw]

Can anyone enlighhten me whether a Chimay white clone needs to be batch cold conditioned or just treated as other brews, as I can't see any specific info on this recipe and I will be using an abbey style yeast.

 

[tubby_shaw]

No need to cold condition an ale :thumb:

 

[Aleman]

Aart from Dortmunder Alts . . . And probably Koelchs

 

[tubby_shaw]

Aart from Dortmunder Alts . . . And probably Koelchs

And even they don't "NEED" to with the advent of controlled nitrogen malts, better finings and filtration etc!
But some people are sticklers for tradition :grin:

 

[cwrw]

But some ales do need this treatment - take Duvel for instance, it is cooled for 2-4c for 5 weeks after secondary before being bottle conditioned :hmm:

 

[tubby_shaw]

But some ales do need this treatment - take Duvel for instance, it is cooled for 2-4c for 5 weeks after secondary before being bottle conditioned :hmm:

See above!

 

[cwrw]

So the production of a big ale like Duvel does not require any cold conditioning and it does not make a difference to the finished taste? Forgive me, but I am new to all grain and was under the impression that it was a well used practice by some on this forum. :wha:

 

[Aleman]

I crash cool all my beer at the end of fermentation to encourage any yeast to drop out and to assist the action of auxiliary finings . . . but its not cold conditioning as such . . . which is normally done for 2-4 weeks for Alts and Kolschs . . . It is required . . . no . . . but it is a useful technique for ensuring good long term stability of the beer.

 

[cwrw]

Many thanks for the replies, especially the last one, as it clarifies the issue for me, and in the case of my next brew (white chimay) I will be conditioning as it's going to be one for occassional supping. :thumb:
What's the take on maturing a beer before drinking (Strong ales especially)- is it similar to the times required for kits or are brews ready within a month or so?

 

[Aleman]

Depends on the beer . . . My Russian Imperial Stout has been in storage now for just over 2 years, and I am really looking forward to drinking it through the coming winter. . . . Trying to debate if I should put the remaining 9 litres into bottles for next year or simply hook the corny up to a spare tap in the kegereezer . . . Not sure about the wisdom of having a 10.6% beer on tap though :hmm: