How long does bottle conditioning take?

At 20°C: typically 2 weeks for standard ales. At 15°C: 3 weeks. Stronger beers take longer. Cold temperatures slow or stop yeast activity.

What temperature should I condition at?

Room temperature (18-22°C) is ideal for conditioning. The warmth keeps yeast active. After carbonation is complete, move to a cool location for clarity and flavour development.

How do I know when conditioning is done?

Open a test bottle after the minimum time. If properly carbonated, the rest are ready. If still flat, give them another week at room temperature.

Do I need to add fresh yeast for bottle conditioning?

For most beers, the residual yeast from fermentation is sufficient for bottle conditioning. For beers that have been cold crashed, filtered, or aged for more than 3 months, adding a small amount of fresh yeast (1g dry yeast per 23L) ensures reliable carbonation.

What temperature should I condition bottles at?

Condition at 18-24°C for 2-3 weeks. Warmer temperatures speed up carbonation. Below 15°C, yeast activity slows dramatically. After carbonation is complete, you can store bottles cooler for conditioning and clarity improvement.

BrewCalcs

Bottle Conditioning Calculator

Calculate conditioning time and optimal temperature for bottle carbonation.

ABV

Conditioning Temperature

How We Calculate This

Conditioning Time

Conditioning time depends primarily on temperature and beer strength. Warmer temperatures speed yeast metabolism. Higher ABV beers take longer as yeast is under more alcohol stress. Standard ales at room temperature typically need 2 weeks minimum.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: 2025-02-20

All calculations are estimates. Always verify values and adjust based on your equipment and ingredients.