Fermentation time

[MrMatt]

I started my first batch on 4/8 and it was Very active for the first 4 days. Now however it appears to have completely stopped and is starting to clear. Should it now be shaken and placed in the fridge or is there a specific reason for letting it sit the full 10 days? It has been in the 60's & 70's for most of the time.

Thanks!

[MrMatt]

I just ended up shaking it up and putting it in the fridge. I'm too impatient.

[ezcaps_phpbb3_import2]

As soon as the bubbles are no longer rising (usually about 3 days) the beer is ready for the clarification step. The longer waiting time listed on the instructions (7 days) is the "beginner" instructions to take into account the occassional longer fermentation times due to various reasons. Advanced brewers who have made beer before can skip the extra fermentation time and move onto the next step as soon as they know the beer is done fermenting.