Fermentation

[beerfanx]

I did my 1st extract kit 2 weeks ago (Double IPA). It fermented in the Primary for 8 days and I moved it into a secondary carboy on Saturday. tomorrow will be 2 weeks. Would you wait another week to bottle or could I bottle Saturday? I plan on leaving in bottle for 2 weeks before tasting.

I've been reading the debate on the secondary fermentation and haven't been swayed either way....?? Opinions?

 

[FuriousE]

I've been reading the debate on the secondary fermentation and haven't been swayed either way....?? Opinions?

The general consensus (and my personal opinion) is that the risk of oxidation (and secondarily, infection) outweighs any benefit there may be to doing a secondary, assuming you are not leaving in primary for months and months on end.

 

[hunter_le five]

Have you taken any gravity readings? Have you reached your target FG? Has the beer cleared yet?

 

[beerfanx]

The readings have leveled up and the beer is clearing. Has a nice color to it. I don't want to rush it.... but I've had it between the 2 fermentations for 2 weeks, and it'll sit in the bottles for at least 2 weeks. Do I need another week before bottling?

 

[hunter_le five]

You can go ahead and bottle it, if you are in a hurry to drink it.

But since you already have it in secondary, you could also continue to let it sit until it finishes clearing up. That will ensure you have less sediment in the bottles, and that your beer pours clearer.

 

[Beerbeque]

I've brewed over 200 batches now in 5 years and I've bottled 90% of them at 14 days with no problems. All ales. I never take an FG reading because I just know that they are ready to bottle in 14 days. Two weeks later they are ready to chill and drink.