Primary?

[FungusBrew]

How long is too long for beer to sit in a primary fermenter before bottling?

 

[HOOTER]

I've heard about a month max, although I go about 2 weeks then secondary.

 

[webnmar]

I believe your answer is dependent on the type of beer. I let all my batches stay in primary for four weeks now, some even 6 weeks and really like the results. I have heard that you can go 2-3 months, but have no experience with that. Depending on the style of beer, complexity, temperature, etc. you may get different results. But I think that you have to go many months before time in primary is a concern.

 

[Gremlyn]

I've gone 6 weeks with no ill effects on beer, I'd have no qualms going 2 months... in fact I went 2 months with my apfelwein.

 

[HOOTER]

in fact I went 2 months with my apfelwein.

I left mine in primary for 6 months. Turned out great.

With average gravity beers, a month should be plenty. Bigger beers may need more time though. As previously stated, I like to secondary my beers, but that's just a personal preference.