A couple of questions

[arringtonbp]

I brewed my first batch of beer from an extract kit (Irish Red Ale from Northern Brewer) on 10/29/11. As of tomorrow it'll be about 2 weeks since I brewed the beer.

As of today, there is no extra pressure in the airlock (i.e. for my s-shaped airlock, both sides of liquid are at the same level).

My plan was to let the beer sit in primary for 4 weeks, then bottle.

I have a hydrometer, and the OG was 1.041 so I can check the SG whenever I want.

Is it enough for this beer to let it sit in primary for 3 weeks instead of 4?
Will that 1 extra week of clearing/conditioning/"cleaning up (as Revvy says)" make a big difference?



Also, when I was boiling the wort, I used a stirring paddle to lightly stir the extract (because it was so thick). I have heard that stirring while the beer is hot causes the beer to oxidize, however when I stirred there was absolutely no splashing, and minimal movement. I simply stirred it enough to unstick the extract from the bottom of the pot. Any problems here?

 

[amazinglarry]

at three weeks you'll be fine, all undesirables have been reabsorbed and you're finished fermenting. Also, hot side aeration just creates possible flavor instability over time, so unless you plan on bottling and distributing your beer I wouldn't worry about.

 

[timdsmith72]

Let it sit the extra week if you can stand it. It'll only make it better.

 

[Yooper]

I've never left a beer in the fermenter more than three weeks, and usually it is more like 10-14 days. Then I package it. If the beer is finished, clear, and has been finished for at least 3-5 days, there is no real advantage to waiting longer particularly in a relatively low OG beer. I've never been sorry!

At an OG of 1.041, with appropriate temperatures during fermentation and the appropriate yeast, I would have had it bottled at day 10!

 

[arringtonbp]

What kinds of changes will take place from this point to the 1 month mark? (weeks 2-4)

 

[Yooper]

What kinds of changes will take place from this point to the 1 month mark? (weeks 2-4)

Probably none.

Unless it's not clear. Letting it sit for a week or two will give it more time to clear.

 

[arringtonbp]

So the little bit of stirring that i did hotside probably didn't mess with it too much?

 

[kh54s10]

From what I have read "hot side aeration" was a concern that has more or less been disregarded as time has passed. Some consider it a myth. I would give it no thought whatsoever. Your beer will be fine.

I have done a couple of brews at 2 weeks in primary and 2 in secondary a couple more at 2 weeks primary and about 1 week secondary since I wanted to harvest the yeast. On a couple that I did primary only, one was about 4 weeks because I was waiting for it to get more clear. So I would say, let the beer tell you when it is ready.