Beer Forum

I am on a deadline crunch for a club competition.
I recently brewed a Belhaven Wee Heavy clone.
I primarried for 10 days and got a 75% attenuation.
(OG 1.074 - FG 1.020)
It has been in the secondary for one week.
I have 4 weeks to go untill the competition.
The kit says I need 3 weeks in secondary and 3 weeks to bottle condition.
Do you think I can should sacrifice time in the secondary to get proper carbonation. Style guildlines say that a full head is not a a requirement.
Or maybe a I should keep in the secondary for 2 more weeks and keep in the bottle to condition for 2 weeks. At least the bottles will keep frementing out for future boozing and competitions.
Any thoughts?

I have found that I get reasonable carbonation within 2 weeks.... keep it warm for 1 week and cool it down to serving temps the last 3-4 days you should be ok. It will probably taste better later due to ageing but that'll get it out the door.
BUB

I think you're going to end up with bombs rushing that 1.020 FG into the bottle. Of course, it depends how fermentable that wort was. What yeast did you use and how much did you pitch?

What temperature is your fermenter at right now? Warming it up a bit might help whatever yeast are left after your transfer chew through a couple more gravity points.

I agree with Boob; leave it alone for two weeks and then check your gravity. If it hasn't moved, bottle. If it has moved... well... you're out of time so bottle anyway. Keep those bottles between 75 and 80F for a week. Crash chill one in an ice batch (a big bowl with an ice water slurry) for about 10 minutes, pour it and see if the carbonation is okay. If it is, chill to 34F for the remainder of your available time. If it is not, keep them warm for another 4 days then chill them for the last three days before your comp (you'll end up with hazier beer, but hopefully the carbonation you want).

Good luck!

Push E.

Thanks Push,

I used a starter that I stepped up using Wyeast Scottish Ale. I fermented at around 62% for 5 days and then at around 68-70% for the last 5 days in the primary.
Right know ithe secondary is at about 62% and may warm it up a few degrees to see if it will eat up a few more points.
I agree with you and Bub to keep in the secondary longer in order to yield a better product once it comes to bottling time.

The BN Barmy Army is getting very serious since Justin gave the chemistry lesson, still no references to pants on/pants off brewing.
Cheers.
Fritz

Just keep your pants on until the beer is ready too bottle. That better?

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company

It goes without saying that pants are for batch-spargers.

Push E.