It typically takes four to six weeks to brew beer. The main activity occurs on the first day, when the wort is prepared. After that, you should allow two weeks for fermentation, followed by an additional two to four weeks of conditioning in bottles or a keg.
The exact duration depends on the style of beer being brewed.
For ales, approximately two weeks of fermentation is needed before transferring the beer to a keg or bottles. Once bottled, ales (such as bitter, IPA, and stout) take about two weeks to carbonate and clarify.
Lagers generally require an additional two to four weeks to fully mature. After fermentation is complete, the beer is transferred to a secondary vessel and stored in a cold place. This process, known as lagering, gives the beer its typical clarity and crisp taste.
Some specialty beers may take even longer to brew. For example, sour beers undergo several fermentation stages, each lasting several weeks.
First Thing: Sanitize Your Equipment
Experienced brewers spend approximately one hour on cleaning and sanitization processes. However, it may take twice as long for novices. Don’t forget to disinfect additional equipment such as a wort cooler and refractometer.
Second Thing: Brewing
Brewing beer takes several hours, depending on the recipe and equipment being used. Each brewing phase involves specific tasks and waiting periods for the next step.
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Steeping Grain
Some homebrewers skip this initial step and proceed directly to boiling. However, steeping grains impart a stronger aroma to the beer. If you choose to steep, the brewing process will take about an hour and a half longer than without this step.
Warming water for grain soaking takes approximately 40 minutes. Once the malt is in the water, wait around 45 minutes for the grains to release their enzymes before moving on to boiling.
Grain Boiling
Boiling the wort is a crucial step in brewing beer as it determines the color and enhances the flavor. Different recipes recommend various pre-boiling and boiling times. Generally, this phase takes around one hour for light and low gravity beers. If brewing a Pilsner, extend the boiling time by another 30 minutes or so.
Most brewers maintain a stable temperature during boiling. However, some choose to fluctuate it, resulting in up to four hours of extended boiling time.
Wort Cooling
After boiling, the wort’s temperature will be around 212°F (100°C), and it needs to be cooled to 75°F (24°C). If using a wort cooler, it will take approximately 25 to 30 minutes to cool the brew.
Without a wort cooler, this process can take hours. Some small homebrewers transfer the wort to a bathtub filled with cold water and periodically add ice, but it can be time-consuming.
Adding Yeast
Adding yeast is the final step before fermentation begins. Use a funnel to transfer the liquid from the pot to a fermenter. Remember that yeast requires oxygen to grow.
If you have an aerator device, it will aerate the wort quickly. Otherwise, stirring or swishing the carboy while transferring the wort will suffice. Aerating, pouring the wort from one container to another, and adding yeast usually takes about half an hour. Then, fermentation begins, with its duration depending on the temperature and yeast strain used.
Third Thing: Fermentation
Fermentation is the crucial stage in beer-making that determines the quality of the final product. This phase typically lasts at least two weeks, during which yeast consumes sugars and converts them into alcohol.
During this stage, there is minimal intervention, apart from daily gravity checks using a hydrometer. Once you obtain consistent measurements for two consecutive days, fermentation is complete.
Lag Phase
The initial phase of fermentation occurs within 3 to 15 hours after adding yeast. Wort rapidly absorbs oxygen, and yeast grows and multiplies.
For this stage, most brewers prefer a higher temperature compared to later stages of fermentation. Yeast multiplication occurs at around 72 to 75°F (22 – 23.8°C), while the temperature drops to 50 to 55°F (10 – 12.7°C) later on.
Exponential Growth
After the lag phase, yeast consumes sugars and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide. Simple sugars, such as glucose and fructose, are broken down within one to four days, while complex sugars, such as maltotriose, decompose last.
During this stage, visible signs of fermentation appear, including foam on the fermenter’s surface and bubbles in the airlock. A pleasant beer aroma also fills the room.
Yeast Growth
The conditioning fermentation phase lasts about ten days, although it can be extended to two months for certain beer types. Yeast growth slows down, and yeast particles settle, while excess hydrogen sulfide gas escapes the fermenter.
During this stage, the temperature is lowered to 35 to 40°F (1.7 – 4.5°C). The beer is almost ready, but some homebrewers may add additional hops at this stage.
Fourth Thing: Bottling
After fermentation is complete, the beer needs to be bottled or kegged. Keep in mind that the carbonation process takes about four to six weeks.
If bottling, priming sugar should be added to the wort. Store the beer in a cold, dark place until it’s ready to be consumed.
