Drinking beer early

[RobMorgan1981]

Hi all, my Tom Caxton ale was in the FV for a week, and now in the keg for 5 days. How soon have people poured a pint after brewing, without it tasting vile? It says 14 days to condition.
What's the odds on not regretting having one this weekend???

 

[MyQul]

All grain is a bit different to kits but I'm normally tucking in after 3 days conditioning

 

[RobMorgan1981]

Well in that case, once I've finished this, my last can of Rheinbacher Pilsner from Aldi, I'll wack one off

 

[RichardM]

It's almost twenty five to seven and it's Friday, I don't think that is too early

 

[Linalmeemow]

All grain is a bit different to kits but I'm normally tucking in after 3 days conditioning

I find two weeks in the FV then a week of bottle conditioning and they're good to start drinking. Couple of months until they hit their best usually though.

 

[RichardM]

Well in that case, once I've finished this, my last can of Rheinbacher Pilsner from Aldi, I'll wack one off

I didn't want to know that. Are you going to try one of your beers before or after you have pleasured yourself

 

[MyQul]

I find two weeks in the FV then a week of bottle conditioning and they're good to start drinking. Couple of months until they hit their best usually though.

Seeing as I only make 10L batches I've usually drunk it all well before 2 months

 

[Clint]

I like to QC my brews...just in case.
As for too early... Hazelwood Brewery has had his breakfast for tomorrow already...

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

Hi all, my Tom Caxton ale was in the FV for a week, and now in the keg for 5 days. How soon have people poured a pint after brewing, without it tasting vile? It says 14 days to condition.
What's the odds on not regretting having one this weekend???

The grown-up answer is that it will probably reach it’s best after about 4-6 weeks but as you’ve already discovered there are no grown-ups here

 

[Deathstar]

Like @Clint I normally always do a QC after a few days in the bottle. But generally wait for 2-3 weeks post bottle for drinkage. However the longer the wait, the better the taste.

 

[carljbray]

I've never wanted to draw any off the barrel till it's properly ready to drink, as I didn't want to make it go off early, but it seems like a lot do, from reading other peoples messages.
Perhaps as long as air doesn't glug through it's ok to do this?
I used to drink it after conditioning 2 weeks, as per the instruction in the kit, but recently noticed how much better my tom claxton kit was after 4 weeks in the bottle compared to 2

 

[MyQul]

Like @Clint I normally always do a QC after a few days in the bottle. But generally wait for 2-3 weeks post bottle for drinkage. However the longer the wait, the better the taste.

Something, I always find when I come to the last bottles of the batch, and never learn

 

[obscure]

Officially I should be stating the 2-2-2 rule of thumb, but I’ve generally found beer can be quite drinkable within a week of bottling/kegging. But it does almost always improve over time, and when possible I try to leave for 4 weeks.

 

[RobMorgan1981]

You lot are quick off the mark on this one!
However, I've hit a stumbling block
It's flat!
My seal is old, and it let all the build up of pressure out
I primed the keg with 85g.


So, can I fit new seal, and put it somewhere warm again for 2 days?
Do I need to add more priming sugar?
I do have a co2 canister, so I can pressurise it.
Help! I don't want to lose 40 pints

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

You lot are quick off the mark on this one!
However, I've hit a stumbling block
It's flat!
My seal is old, and it let all the build up of pressure out
I primed the keg with 85g.


So, can I fit new seal, and put it somewhere warm again for 2 days?
Do I need to add more priming sugar?
I do have a co2 canister, so I can pressurise it.
Help! I don't want to lose 40 pints

Hi Rob,

Once you’ve fixed the seal, inject some CO2. You can reprime with sugar if you prefer but CO2 injection is much faster and we all want to drink our beer as early as possible!

 

[RobMorgan1981]

Hi Rob,

Once you’ve fixed the seal, inject some CO2. You can reprime with sugar if you prefer but CO2 injection is much faster and we all want to drink our beer as early as possible!

I have actually managed to bodge the seal air tight for now. I had to use some grips to get the leverage . Does the co2 takes a while to work?

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

I have actually managed to bodge the seal air tight for now. I had to use some grips to get the leverage . Does the co2 takes a while to work?

If you prime with sugar, secondary fermentation produces CO2 over a period of a few days and pressurises your keg.

If you inject CO2 the keg is pressurised immediately and the beer will start to carbonate within hours.

 

[kelper]

overnight at 10psi
Just draw off a sample - what have you got to lose?

 

[RobMorgan1981]

overnight at 10psi
Just draw off a sample - what have you got to lose?

I don't have a pressure gauge. Is the pressure relief seal (elastic band) rated to 10psi???

 

[terrym]

@RobMorgan1981
Most homebrew beers are just about drinkable as soon as they are carbed and clear. However most improve with an extra four weeks or so of conditioning, although a few are best drunk young, and a few more can take a lot longer.
The best plan is to build up a stock so that there is no pressure to drink it asap, and you can take your time and find out how the flavours develop. I have a PB with a mild in it and started drinking it two weeks after packaging and it is now nearly all gone after eight weeks and I have been surprised how its changed over the weeks, especially since it is now probably at its best.
As far as the PB try this
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/guide-to-a-standard-home-brew-pressure-barrel.67042/