Recommendation: Something that'll clear quickly...

[Aterlatus]

I had an invite thrown at me for a Halloween party tonight, on the condition I sort him out a keg of homebrew to go with it!

I've got three weeks to get it brewed up, so does anyone have any suggestions for something that'll clear up fairly quickly and taste OK to drink (doesn't have to be winning any brew of the year awards!), or suggestions for different yeasts and the like that should clear a bit quicker? I'm still about as far from a homebrew expert as you can be, so all suggestions are gratefully received.

[kenny850]

In my opinion,think your struggling for time there Aterlatus.Ten days in the FV and eleven days conditioning aint gonna make for a great brew.On the other hand someone will be along shortly to say im talking shite and all you need to do is XYZ and voila-beer of the year,but its 20 days and counting so they better be quick

[sparky Paul]

It's certainly pushing it, as Kenny says.

Best thing I can think of is Geordie Bitter made with 1Kg Spraymalt and Safale S-04 yeast - you must bin the supplied yeast if you want it to clear quickly. This always clears pretty quick for me, in bottles anyway. Usually ferments out in less than a week, and clears a few days after full carbonation - though a keg may take longer. The Scottish Export also clears quickly, but I think the bitter is a nicer beer... especially with a few Fuggles added.

The other option is something really dark, like a Cooper's Stout made with dark spraymalt, so they can't tell it's completely cleared!

You'd better get cracking!

[steve_flack]

You could do it if it's a not too strong bitter, you use S-04 and force carb it. It would be easier to do in Corni kegs as you could rack it to a fresh keg for serving and leave most of the yeast behind. You'd probs have problems doing it in that amount of time if you're priming and using a less aggressive yeast.

A lot of commercial brews aren't much older than that when you drink them in the pub but there's no denying a bit more time would make for a better beer.

[Jaoqua]

I have limited experience here, but I brewed a Coopers IPA recently and it fermented down to FG in about 5 days then dropped bright (in bottles, admittedly) in about another 5. It is quite 'Spitfirey' in style. So maybe give that one a go if you have no better ideas.

By the way, the Coopers yeast likes a slightly warmer than normal range of temperatures, e.g. 20-25C rather than 18-25C. Mine was at about 20-21C.

Also, if you're serving from the keg the keg will need to be in situ for several days before the party. Or you'll be serving yeast soup.

[Aterlatus]

A good nights sleep left another idea floating around the old noggin - I kegged up my first brew (youngs ubrew garbage ) a few days ago - I could just use that for the party and get a wherry on the go for myself. I'm sure my first brew isn't going to taste anywhere near as good as my second, so why not share the youngs and keep the good stuff for myself? Can afford to give it a little longer to reach a better taste then

[Waffty]

I did a Brewpaks Pride of Yorkshire IPA (made with Safe04 yeast), which I left in the fermentor for 7, dropped the temp + added finings, then left it in the fermentor for another 3 days.

The result was that it was cyrstal clear going into the keg + actually drinkable straight from the FV. The downside being, that it tastes 10 time better having been left for 4 to 6 weeks.

Using a good sedement yeast like Safe04, dropping the temp + adding finings will give you the clarity you require, it'll just taste very green. The other thing to mention is, it'll be as flat as a witches t*t, as you won't have time to secondary ferment + force carbonating may give you mixed results i.e ideally you need 12psi of CO2, at 12 degree for a week.

Darren.

[Damfoose]

You could always use beerbrite to clear it I have a Sherwood that brewed and cleared in about 2 weeks using the stuff.

[Ditch]

I had an invite thrown at me for a Halloween party tonight, on the condition I sort him out a keg of homebrew to go with it!

A Keg of HB?! Does this guy think ye have " MUG " emblazoned across ye forehead?

Personally? I'd tell him to go f*ck himself And his party. Then stay at home and enjoy what ever normally helps ye through the night.

Brew ye own beer, in ye own time. Then invite a Good mate round for a 'Lads Night In' one weekend. DVD or two. Take away. Sample some of ye latest brew. That's how to enjoy the fruits of ye labours. Sod putting it all together so some dick can say; " And I've got this guy fetching us five gallons of Home Brew, lads! ". Why doesn't Mr Glitter brew his Own damn five gallons of give away?

Naah. Slow down, mate. Tell him it got infected and went down the drain. That's why ye've turned up with a couple of bottles of plonk ~ like everyone else will have.

[BlackBag]

Harsh Ditch, but true.
Trouble is with homebrew, people don't take into account not just the cost of ingredients and equipment, but also time. Whereas I'd consider it an honour to be dished up something that somebody has made, non homebrewers will instantly feel cheated. "Why can't you have bought some beer?"
On the other hand if you go for a meal to someone's house and they provide you with a ready meal it's socially acceptable to grumble. If you're a guest it would have been nice for the hosts to have spent some time preparing a meal.
There's no greater feeling than presenting a friend with something you've made and receiving rapturous and genuine praise. "Hey that's really nice. Honestly it is!" Good job in a way that some people still expect homebrew to taste awful!

[Grantie]

My Woodfordes wherry was good to drink 3 weeks after dropping in the fermenter and 2 weeks after bottling : technically it was good to drink before bottling, just flat !

The temperature probably helped (was around 25 degrees in the cupboard during the summer) accelerate things a bit.

It does seem a little cheeky demanding a keg of hb with such a timescale and only rewarding you with an invite ! My friends know I need at least 3 months notice before making such requests !

There's another thread about a hoegaarden clone floating about I've just tried and that's up to a pretty good standard after only 3 weeks too....

[Waffty]

Had a few similar conversations with my mates / local landlady (who both sort out used bottles for me), most start something like, when are going to bring some hb in. To which I reply, the fermentation process can take between 3 & 10 days, then a day to bottle/keg & anything from 4 to 12 weeks for the beer to drop clean/condition.

They're beginning to understand now, as I've been doing my Belgium brews for Xmas, all of which take 6 to 8 weeks to be at the optimum.

In short, unless you're brewing 50l per batch, once or twice a month, you'll never have enough hb to go round.

My wifes now into my hb big style, which now means my 20l or so of brew, pretty much results in a net 8l to myself after, I've given some away to family friends.

I'm already getting ready for xmas i.e 7l of Bruferms Xmas brew (6%) & 18l (2 kits) of Brewferms Abbey (8%) + tonight I'm going to kick off a Brupaks bitter, followed by another kit a week later & possibly a lager for new year.

So brew, brew, brew and brew somemore, get yourself 4x 18l cornys, beer gas, plus a couple of 9l cornys for take outs & the jobs a good un.

[Bongo]

I had an invite thrown at me for a Halloween party tonight, on the condition I sort him out a keg of homebrew to go with it!

A Keg of HB?! Does this guy think ye have " MUG " emblazoned across ye forehead?

Personally? I'd tell him to go f*ck himself And his party. Then stay at home and enjoy what ever normally helps ye through the night.

Brew ye own beer, in ye own time. Then invite a Good mate round for a 'Lads Night In' one weekend. DVD or two. Take away. Sample some of ye latest brew. That's how to enjoy the fruits of ye labours. Sod putting it all together so some dick can say; " And I've got this guy fetching us five gallons of Home Brew, lads! ". Why doesn't Mr Glitter brew his Own damn five gallons of give away?

Naah. Slow down, mate. Tell him it got infected and went down the drain. That's why ye've turned up with a couple of bottles of plonk ~ like everyone else will have.

Yup a Co. Leitrim ratty tracker never lies,he's the unknown stuntman who made eastwood look so fine.

[stevezx7r]

I've just kegged my Throttle (AG) after 7 days and it's perfectly drinkable now. Ok, it's a low ABV and not immensley hoppy but it will be "done" within the week.

As far as yeast goes I would suggest using WLP002 (White Labs liquid yeast) it cost a few quid ~ £6 but you can use it several times if you know how to split the yeast. This yeast WILL have your beer ready in two weeks from pitching, leaving a nice firm yeast cake behind.