Hi, everyone. First post here for me. I did some cider and fruit wine last year, but just recently started my first beer. As a beer newbie, I went small and cheap for my first one (Munton's Wheat Beer, a pre-hopped LME kit but with better yeast than the one included). I started it last Wednesday (May 22) and fermentation was completed in 3-4 days. I left it in the primary rather than racking to secondary, and as it's a wheat, from what I've read, I think I can bottle it this weekend, about 10 days after pitching the yeast. Or should I wait until at least 14 days?
Either way, when I am ready to bottle, should I cold crash it since I didn't rack to secondary? I've seen differing opinions on this for wheat beers. I know they are supposed to be cloudy and cold crashing likely won't affect that. But I thought (maybe incorrectly) that it might help compact the yeast cake at the bottom, making it less likely to be stirring up when bottling. Yes or no?
And if I do cold crash, do I do it in the primary fermenter or after transferring to the bottling bucket and for how long?
Thanks everyone! This is my first but won't be my last. I'm looking at a dunkel for next time...
Either way, when I am ready to bottle, should I cold crash it since I didn't rack to secondary? I've seen differing opinions on this for wheat beers. I know they are supposed to be cloudy and cold crashing likely won't affect that. But I thought (maybe incorrectly) that it might help compact the yeast cake at the bottom, making it less likely to be stirring up when bottling. Yes or no?
And if I do cold crash, do I do it in the primary fermenter or after transferring to the bottling bucket and for how long?
Thanks everyone! This is my first but won't be my last. I'm looking at a dunkel for next time...