How long to ferment?

[rsdoran]

Hey yall, this is my first time posting here, so forgive me if this is in the wrong section.

Is leaving your fermenting brew for longer than 7-14 days detrimental to the brew? When I began the brewing process I thought I would be available to bottle after the recommended sitting time, however I will now be out of town. Will this ruin the brew?
Also, the temperature where the brew is sitting is around 78 degrees, does this effect the brew or the time it takes to ferment?

 

[DoubleAught]

It's recommended to leave it in the primary for 4 weeks or longer...you'll be fine. Although your temps are on the high side, would make a better brew in the mid-60's

 

[RugenBrau]

I leave mine for 3 weeks minimum. Use your hydrometer to be sure fermentation has stopped

 

[509inc]

Depending on your yeast strain 78F could be way to high. I usually ferment for 4 weeks as a rule, but I have the space for 8 temp controlled carboys. That being said I brewed good beer for years without temp control.

 

[Jtd6628]

The most important time for temp control is during fermentation( first 3 to 4 days) check for what your yeast should ferment at. As for time in primary leave let it set two weeks, three weeks, four weeks , try it each time seeing which one you think is the tastiest.

 

[Revvy]

I ferment my beer for as long as the yeast takes, which is usually about a week, but I have no control over that process. But after that I leave it alone to condition and clean up until it's been in my primary for a month. Then I bottle.

There's a ton of thread discussing this, to me THIS is the best and most detailed. Read this.

But yeah, we find there's a lot of benefit to leaving the beer in primary for a few weeks, AFTER it's finished fermenting.

 

[rsdoran]

Thanks for the quick replies!
Unfortunately where the primary is, there is not great temperature regulation. But at least I feel better about waiting to bottle!
Exactly how will a high temperature effect the brew...taste, safety, aesthetics etc...?
Would you guys recommend tasting the brew throughout the fermentation process?

 

[rsdoran]

I ferment my beer for as long as the yeast takes, which is usually about a week, but I have no control over that process. But after that I leave it alone to condition and clean up until it's been in my primary for a month. Then I bottle.

There's a ton of thread discussing this, to me THIS is the best and most detailed. Read this.

But yeah, we find there's a lot of benefit to leaving the beer in primary for a few weeks, AFTER it's finished fermenting.

Thanks for the link! I did try searching before I posted, but couldn't find that!

 

[Yooper]

Thanks for the quick replies!
Unfortunately where the primary is, there is not great temperature regulation. But at least I feel better about waiting to bottle!
Exactly how will a high temperature effect the brew...taste, safety, aesthetics etc...?
Would you guys recommend tasting the brew throughout the fermentation process?

A higher temperature fermentation will cause "off flavors" like esters (fruity flavors), fusels ("hot" alcohol taste), and maybe some other not-too-good flavors. It should look the same as any other beer, and be as safe to drink aside from some wicked headaches from the fusel alcohols.

You can taste whenever you want.

 

[Revvy]

The easiest thing to do for temp control, especially when starting out, is the swamp cooler. If you do a search of the thousands of threads already here on this topic (hundreds every summer) you'll see various designs, some simpl like mine, some really complex. But you'll get plenty ideas.

I go up as high as I can with the water, then use the t-shirt as a wick to draw the water up as a wick around the rest of the fermenter.

Basically it is a rubbermade bin, water, some frozen water bottles (you ca also chuck rock salt in) and t-shirts over the fermenters to act as wicks, drawing the cold water up and around the fermeters.

I have gotten the water in the swamp cooler down to the high 50's and the fermenter a few degrees higher.

A fan blowing on it can be used as well.