Changes

There is no hard and fast rule for when to package based on final gravity because the gravity of the finished beer will depend on recipe, process , and microbes present among other factors. Generally , lower final gravities are safer because they constrain the extent to which the beer can continue to ferment and generate extra CO2 in the package. But rather than looking for a specific number, pay more attention to the stability of the gravity. Jay from the Rare Barrel recommends waiting at the final gravity for 2-3 months in mixed fermentation beers to ensure that this gravity is the actual final gravity <ref name='Sour Hour episode 6'>[http://www.thebrewingnetwork.com/the-sour-hour-episode-6/ The Sour Hour episode 6 Listener Q&A]</ref> (~38 minutes in). If the gravity is stable over a long time scale (weeks to months, depending again on factors such as recipe, process , and microbes present), then the beers beer is probably done. If you are unsure then give the beer a bit longer and monitor final gravity. Each gravity point (.001) of continued fermentation yields roughly 1/2 volume of CO2 (each degree Plato yields 2 volumes of CO2) <ref>[http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php/Accurately_Calculating_Sugar_Additions_for_Carbonation#Remaining_or_Residual_Extract "Accurately Calculating Sugar Additions for Carbonation." Kai Troester. Braukaiser.com. Retrieved 08/07/2016.]</ref>.

Beer with ''Brettanomyces'' and bacteria, as well as certain ''Saccharomyces'' strains, will take longer to clear than other beers. Generally , time can take care of most of the clarification in mixed fermentation beers with long aging times. Faster turnaround beers or kettle sours may not clarify by time alone. The level of clarity you are looking for before packaging will depend on your preferences and the beer you are making. Beer can be packaged without good clarity and they will continue to settle out in the bottle, but note that beers with high carbonation levels may kick the sediment back into suspension, which may or may not be what you want in your beer.