2 stage fermentation recommended "secondary" ??

[pjj2ba]

Then why bother unless you have a specific reason. (i.e. long term conditioning, lagering, adding fruit, you want to "free up" your primary)

Because they result in two different tasting beers. That is a pretty big reason to chose one method over the other. This is what the article in BYO showed. Primary only beers tasted different from those that utilized a secondary. These are not huge difference by any means, yet the tasters had clear preferences and were evenly split as to which method they preferred.

My "argument" is to try them both and see which you prefer. Either way is a perfectly acceptable way to ferment your beer. You do not need to leave your beer in primary for an extended time to make good beer. However if you like the flavors you get doing it that way, then by all means do it that way.

 

[jetmac]

because they result in two different tasting beers. That is a pretty big reason to chose one method over the other. This is what the article in byo showed. Primary only beers tasted different from those that utilized a secondary. These are not huge difference by any means, yet the tasters had clear preferences and were evenly split as to which method they preferred.

My "argument" is to try them both and see which you prefer. Either way is a perfectly acceptable way to ferment your beer. You do not need to leave your beer in primary for an extended time to make good beer. However if you like the flavors you get doing it that way, then by all means do it that way.

+1

 

[tryder33]

Why not just use the container you are going to secondary in for a primary for the new batch and skip moving the first batch into the secondary?

I only have 1 6 Gallon primary and 2 have 5 gallon secondaries. I have mainly used wyeast packs and found that the fermentation almost fills the whole 6 Gallon primary, with the krausen. I guess I could use a blowoff hose in a 5 Gallon but I never really have thought about it. I am fairly new to brewing and read How to Brew by John Palmer before I started, and was concerned with off flavors, if left sitting to long ( based on what was written). You have peaked my interest though, so I might brew 2 batches and try it both ways letting 1 batch it sit in 1 the primary and transfer the other batch and compare.

 

[jetmac]

I only have 1 6 Gallon primary and 2 have 5 gallon secondaries. I have mainly used wyeast packs and found that the fermentation almost fills the whole 6 Gallon primary, with the krausen. I guess I could use a blowoff hose in a 5 Gallon but I never really have thought about it.

Gotcha

I am fairly new to brewing and read How to Brew by John Palmer before I started, and was concerned with off flavors, if left sitting to long ( based on what was written). You have peaked my interest though, so I might brew 2 batches and try it both ways letting 1 batch it sit in 1 the primary and transfer the other batch and compare.

A very good book and highly recommended. Keep in mind, how early the book was written and even Palmer will admit there have been changes over the years.

With that being said, I hope you have bought the book and aren't reading the free version.

If you have the book, on page 90 where there is talk about secondary, don't focus on the negative aspects of the primary. The 3rd paragraph talks about the controversy of racking to a secondary amongst "Seasonsed" homebrewers. And the 5th paragraph states " Leaving an ale in the primary fermenter for a total of two to THREE weeks, instead of just one, will provide time for the conditioning reactions and improve the beer. The extra time will also let more sediment settle out before bottling, resulting in a clearer beer and esier pouring."

With the healthier yeast we get from Wyeast and WhiteLabs, there is little chance of off flavors from dead yeast these days.