Max secondary time Q

[Bakerboy2222]

So I just bottled my first batch and I'm pretty sure everything so far has gone off without a hitch. Lots of fun, I'm really loving this brewing thing. I now have alost 2 cases of beer bottled and would love to start on my next batch soon but I'm not sure when I'll have those bottles freed up and I dont know how I feel about buying ANOTHER case of bottles. How long can I let the beer set in secondary before bottleing before the yeast cake starts eating itself or before the yeast is too weak to carbonate?

On a sidenote, when bottling I somehow ended up 7 bottles short of beer. All my calculations of a 5 gal batch should yeild slightly over. Any common mistakes I may have made that would cut the volume by a 6 pack or more? Btw my gravities are all spot on if slightly high

 

[Revvy]

The yeast cake doesn't really eats itself, and the purpose of a secondary is to bulk age/store beer. Leave for as long as you need. If it's over 6 months or a year you might have to add more yeast at bottling time...but for a few weeks/months it's no big deal.

 

[homebrewdad]

I've done four months before, and the beer carbed up beautifully. I've seen many mentions of 6-12 month secondaries.

In other words, OP... no need to worry.

 

[amandabab]

You'll be OK.
But enough bottles for 2-3 batches solves a lot of problems.

 

[STEVESKI]

Instead of buying a case of bottles, buy a case of beer. Drink the beer. Pour new beer into old bottle. The circle of life.


Edit: Or keep an eye out on this thread: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f16/got-free-bottles-give-away-post-em-here-157575/ I got my first 100 bottles off someone from that thread for free and I live right by you.

 

[xtian116]

Instead of buying a case of bottles, buy a case of beer. Drink the beer. Pour new beer into old bottle. The circle of life./QUOTE]

If you like Guinness Draught, I'd recommend those bottles. Easiest labels to remove, just cut with a razor and they come right off. Shrink wrap, no glue.