Which would you move to secondary?

Sat Saturday I brewed a nut brown ale and an American cream ale. Didn't think I would be brewing for a couple weeks, but my SWMBO wants to help me brew a batch of gluten free for her best friends birthday (late September) so I need to start soonish.

I was trying with these 2 batches to follow the longer primary/no secondary (first batch was brewed using a secondary, also was before I joined here), but I may not be able to. Here are my options: 1. Brew a 4G batch and use my 5G carboy for primary, or move one of the 2 in primary.

So if it were you, which would you move? Bonus points for why (so I can expand my knowledge).

Much appreciated

OR I could talk her into getting me another ale pail. Since it's for her friend and all

Cant go wrong with more fermenters.

Yea, that was my thought as well.

A cream ale is really nice cold conditioned a bit, so if you feel you must rack to a bright tank, you could do that and cold condition it at near freezing. That would give you a nice, clear, "clean" cream ale.

Yooper said:

A cream ale is really nice cold conditioned a bit, so if you feel you must rack to a bright tank, you could do that and cold condition it at near freezing. That would give you a nice, clear, "clean" cream ale.

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Thank Yooper. Would you cold condition for 2 weeks?

motleybrews said:

Thank Yooper. Would you cold condition for 2 weeks?

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Yes, if I had the space and time!

Are they extract kits? I looked at Northern Brewers extract kits and both suggest 2 weeks primary then 2 weeks bottle conditioning. So I would pick the one that has greater appeal to me and move that one to secondary and let it go longer or pick the one with lesser appeal and bottle it early. (after FG has been reached). I would still primary as long as possible within your timeframe.

+1 on more fermenters.

Yooper said:

Yes, if I had the space and time!

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I'm not in a hurry so I have the time. My lady and I just bought a house, and since I couldn't get out of my apt lease, that's where I've been doing my brewing. I've got a sidebyside fridge/freezer that is empty and a perfect fit, so I've got the space!

Thanks so much.

kh54s10 said:

Are they extract kits? I looked at Northern Brewers extract kits and both suggest 2 weeks primary then 2 weeks bottle conditioning. So I would pick the one that has greater appeal to me and move that one to secondary and let it go longer or pick the one with lesser appeal and bottle it early. (after FG has been reached). I would still primary as long as possible within your timeframe.

+1 on more fermenters.

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Yea they were both extract kits. I'm not planning on doing the GF until Sunday (a week from tomorrow) when I get back from Notre Dame, so either one will get a solid 2 weeks in the primary.

Clann said:

Cant go wrong with more fermenters.

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Ferment buckets are a valuable item. I hate cleaning my carboy, thus it will be used for apfelwein for the next 3-4 months. Get the extra bucket and enjoy the extra brewing possibilities.

+1 on more fermenters. You can never go wrong with more carboys. While buckets are nice and convient and cheap, a glass carboy will last a lifetime.

Ended up going to the LHBS today and got 2 more ale pails and airlocks. Still leaning towards transferring the cream ale to secondary (after 3 weeks instead of 2) and cold conditioning it for 2 weeks (@ around 35 degrees) then bottling.

motleybrews said:

...I'm not planning on doing the GF until Sunday...

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Ohhhh, the difference a simple typo makes...

Don't make her wait THAT long