2 Stage Fermentation

[ahefner33]

I am still new to brewing but I wanted to ask why so many things I read or watch states that 2 stage fermentation is better than 1 stage? I've learned that it gives you a "clearer" beer if you let it ferment in a secondary carboy/bucket for additional 2 weeks/personal preference. Other than having a clearer beer, is there any other purposes or reasons why most like to do this?

-Adam

 

[WTexan]

I like it because it's just that much more less sediment in the bottom of my bottles. So I don't have to worry quite as much about it getting into my beer when I pore it.

 

[ahefner33]

thanks.

So less sediment. Is everything that falls to the bottom dead yeast? Or is it still active? I have purposefully sometimes transferred some of the bottom sediment to the secondary so I can be sure I reach my FG. But maybe this isn't necessary?

 

[bad67z]

Many brewer myself included have forgone a secondary "fermentation" vessel or bright tank for longer in the primary 3-5 weeks (opinions, recipes and yeast's very). This is unless we are planning on adding adjuncts or dry hopping.

I ferment generally for 4-5 weeks in the carboy or bucket then cold crash for 1-2 days @ 30-35 degrees. Then transfer to a keg or bottling bucket while still in the refrigerator, taking care to disturb the trub and yeast cake as little as possible.

 

[kh54s10]

I also skip the secondary fermentation. If you are careful when transferring you will not get much sediment at all in your bottles.

Secondary might make the beer slightly more clear but is becoming considered an added step that is really unnecessary. Some feel it is best as another source of infection.

YMMV.

 

[bad67z]

thanks.

So less sediment. Is everything that falls to the bottom dead yeast? Or is it still active? I have purposefully sometimes transferred some of the bottom sediment to the secondary so I can be sure I reach my FG. But maybe this isn't necessary?

The sediment is dead and dormant yeast. Many of us harvest yeast from our favorite commercially bottle beer to brew clones. It is unnecessary to transfer anything from the bottom of your primary, there are billions of live yeast cell in you "cleared" beer to carbonate your bottle condition beer.

 

[helibrewer]

The beer will clarify the same in the primary fermentor as it will in any other vessel, the only thing a secondary tank does is free up the primary tank for use.

Bright tanks are appropriate for: adding additional fermentables(fruit), dry hopping, and when use of a fining agent is desired. Many folks dry hop in their primary also. In visually clear beer you still have about 1 million yeast cells per ml.

 

[ahefner33]

Awesome. Thanks for the replies.

So other than avoiding the yeast cake and being able to add ingredients/dry hop, its just a added step. I would much prefer not having to transfer and let the whole fermentation take place in the primary

 

[homebrewdad]

I have done it both ways. It seems that all of the cool kids are doing primaries only these days, so in my last batch, that's just what I did.

I ended up with way more trub in my bottling bucket than I have gotten by doing secondaries. So much so that I ended up wasting five bottles worth of beer... just too much sediment and such there (kept clogging the bottle wand).

I see a lot more sediment in the bottles from this batch, as well - though it's a different recipe/yeast strain, so that in and of itself is not a fair test.

Of course, many proponents of primary only would say that they don't have my issue; it comes down to a personal choice. For me, that choice will be to do a secondary from now on, even if for just a week.

 

[ahefner33]

Thanks for the input Homebrewdad,

When you transferred from the primary to the bottling bucket did you notice alot of the sediment going through the tubing?

 

[homebrewdad]

Thanks for the input Homebrewdad,

When you transferred from the primary to the bottling bucket did you notice alot of the sediment going through the tubing?

As I got down in the carboy I certainly saw some, but I wasn't expecting the issue that I had with bottling. I will admit that part of it was due to my yeast strain - the cake in this carboy wasn't nearly as densely packed as I had seen before (had more of a sandy quality to it).

I know that some people utilize paint filters and such when racking - I can definitely see the value in this now.

Still, for my process, secondaries are a great help. I leave the vast majority of trub behind when I rack to secondary. That falls out, and I leave the vast majority of that behind when I rack to the bottling bucket. Your mileage may vary.

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

I'm with Bad67z on this, as are more and more brewers. The only time I transfer to a clearing vessel (secondary, bright tank, etc.) is for post ferment additions, such as oak, vanilla or dry hops, or for bulk aging. Other than that, the vast majority of my ales remain in primary for 2 or more weeks, the ones that are out of primary in 2 weeks or less are beers like wheat beer that are s'posed to be served young and yeasty.
IME, you can get a beer just as clear and bright in 3-4 weeks in a single vessel (depending on the beer and the yeast) as you can with a transfer to a second vessel. The only difference I've seen in clarity between the two is that with stubborn to drop yeasts, the transfer to a secondary can speed up the clarification. But I'm in the school of "all good things come to those who wait." My best beers have been the ones I've left in primary for longer as opposed to shorter. As with those in the medical field, patience is a brewers best friend.

 

[homebrewdad]

I agree @ the virtues of patience. When in doubt, leave the beer alone for longer.

My personal guideline is 3 to 4 weeks primary, followed by 1 to x weeks in secondary, depending on how long I want to bulk age (if a big beer).

Many brewers have success with 3+ week primary only. And hey, some folks are quite happy with 10 day primaries, straight to bottles (if gravity is stable).

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

And hey, some folks are quite happy with 10 day primaries, straight to bottles (if gravity is stable).

It works.... but I'd only recommend it if you absolutely have to... and ONLY if FG is stable. I do it from time to time with lower gravity beers if my pipeline's running dry, and really only then if I'm kegging the brew. Regardless, the beer will almost always be better if given a few extra weeks to mature, IMO.

 

[dnslater]

Like many here i enjoy crystal clear beer with a 4 week extended primary and then straight to bottle, even when dry hopping. I use Irish Moss during brewing. I would only secondary if I want to bulk age, or add fruit, coffee, etc.....

 

[gordo78]

Got a question please. I put 2 brews in for primary then had family/personal tragedy. coming through the other side now. Thing is, they have been in primary fermenter now for 5 months. Should I dump or bottle and see what happens? Dont wanna waste my time if you think wont be any good. Thanks

 

[eadavis80]

Sorry about your family tragedy. As for your beer, I just read a post by Revvy, who said he has left beer in the primary for up to half a year. The way I see it, you might as well go ahead and bottle it and try one a few weeks after bottling day. I'd rather be out a few hours of work on bottling day if it doesn't turn out and KNOW it didn't turn out, then not even try and KNOW I lost 5 gallons of brew. Odds are, the beer will be fine anyhow.Good luck