Condition, ferment, repeat

Once my first batch is bottled this weekend, I'll be warm-conditioning my bottles for 21 days.  Since the keg will be idle and empty during that time, I figured the best use of my conditioning time was to brew another batch of something.

I am looking into some options for my next batch.  Since this batch is a West Coast India Pale Ale (IPA), I'd like something with a different flavor.  I have been considering red, amber, or brown ales, along with German Apfelwein, or "apple wine" (cider).  There is a very popular and easy recipe for brewing Apfelwein that can be modified for a Mr. Beer kit, but it takes much longer to ferment.  I'll probably stick with beer for now, but I'll keep the Apfelwein on my radar as a future project.

There is one issue with getting the second batch started quickly, however.  Beer fermentation takes two weeks and conditioning takes three, so I'll need another set of bottles ready when the next batch comes out of the keg.    With an extra set of bottles, I can always have something bubbling away in the fermenter while the previous batch is being conditioned and consumed.  Otherwise, I'll have to wait until my bottles are empty.

So now I'll start looking into getting another set of bottles, either from Mr. Beer ($15) or some other source.  This time, rather than the 1-liter bottles that came with my first kit, I am planning to use 1/2-liter bottles.  Not that I mind drinking a liter of beer every time I open a bottle, but I would like to have some smaller bottles so I can share with others and get their opinions on my brews.  Half-liter bottles (16 oz. or so) seem more reasonable for this endeavor.