mpenn35

Recipes 

This weekend I racked my Northern Brewer ESB which had been in primary for 14 days to secondary. The instructions called for two to three weeks in secondary but then said "timing is now somewhat flexible." Do they recommend secondary on this just for clearing purposes or is there another reason? The only time I've used a secondary so far was for cacao nib and vanilla bean additions. I won't be dry hopping this beer so I was just curious as to the reason they called for time in secondary.

__________________
Primary: Cream Ale
Secondary: Empty
Bottled: Wheat, Stout, Chocolate Milk Stout, Dubbel Trouble, Extra Special Bitter, Strawberry Blonde, Oatmeal Stout
On deck: Maple Stout, Milk Stout, Black IPA

Bring the Cup to Philly

brewmax25

Recipes 

All Northern brewer kits typically call for secondary. i rarely rack to secondary unless i want clear beer or adding stuff like cocao or vanilla or if i have a big complex beer. I also re rack when i have no bottles or kegs! Never hurts to rerack but with an esb you could get away with a 14 day primary and then bottle.

__________________
Primary: 2012 IPA, All Idaho SMaSH Pilsner
Secondary: Double Black Ameican Lager
Kegged : Air
Bottled: Empty

Pezman1

Recipes 

Like brewmax said, all NB and Midwest kits call for secondary in their generic kit instructions.

I'm with you - only secondary if you are aging or for additions. I let my ESBs sit on their yeast for at least three weeks - usually four, even if they have reached FG.
Pez.

mpenn35

Recipes 

Oh ok, I've never done a NB kit before so I guess I didn't think about them just being generic directions...appreciate the input. I'll probably let it go a week or two then bottle it. It's pretty clear right now, after just two days in secondary.

__________________
Primary: Cream Ale
Secondary: Empty
Bottled: Wheat, Stout, Chocolate Milk Stout, Dubbel Trouble, Extra Special Bitter, Strawberry Blonde, Oatmeal Stout
On deck: Maple Stout, Milk Stout, Black IPA

Bring the Cup to Philly