How To Speed Up Fermentation of Homebrew Beer

The typical length of time it takes homebrew beer to ferment is around 1-2 weeks. Naturally, eager homebrewers probably don’t want to wait around several weeks to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Fermentation is a critical step during the beer brewing process, and unfortunately there’s no way to bypass it. With that said, there are some techniques for speeding up the fermentation of homebrew beer. If you’re interested in brewing quality beer in less time, keep reading to learn some tips and tricks on how to speed up fermentation.

Use a Larger Starter

Common sense should tell you that using a larger starter will naturally speed up the fermentation of your brew. Many people completely skip starters, but using them offers several key benefits, one of which is a faster brew. You can choose to either make your own starter, or you can purchase a pack that’s pre-made. If this is your first time attempting to homebrew beer, use a pre-made starter to ensure it has a balanced ratio of ingredients.

Up The Temperature

Increasing the temperature of your brew will also speed up fermentation. It’s important to note, however, that going too high with the temperature can ruin an otherwise perfect bath of beer. And going too low may freeze and deactivate the yeast. There’s a fine line you must balance to ensure the beer is fermenting but not burning. Play around with your temps and don’t be afraid to experiment with slightly higher temps in some of your brews. Increasing the ambient temperature to the mid-to-high 60s will speed up fermentation without creating unwanted fuel byproducts (which are known to cause headaches when consumed).

Avoid ‘ Secondary’ Fermentation

A third tip to speed up your homebrew fermentation is to skip the secondary. A secondary is basically ANOTHER fermentation round that happens after the first. The primary benefit in using a secondary is that it helps filter some of the sediments, but the downside is that it takes twice as long. If you’re crunched for time, or if you simply want to enjoy your beer sooner rather than later, stick with a single round of fermentation.

Following the three tips listed here will drastically reduce the fermentation time of your homebrew beer. Just remember to use a large starter, increase the temp to 65-69 degrees Fahrenheit, and avoid the use of a secondary.