Question about when to bottle beer.

[JMV]

I started two 6 gallon batches of beer this week. Both kicked off and are fermenting great. My question is, how long can I leave the beer in the primary fermenter before I put it in bottles? I have a week long vacation coming up and don’t want to bottle green beer. If fermentation isn’t done before I leave can it safely be put off for 10 days or so? I scrubbed the equipment with soap and water. Used an iodine solution and star San spray before use. I boiled the total wort for an hour before chilling and putting in the fermenter. Don’t want to dump my Dortmunder ale or my Belgian pale ale. Wife will not forgive putting off vacation. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[lumpher]

Most people leave beer in primary 2-3 weeks. It allows the fermentation to complete, the yeast to clean up after itself, and settle to the bottom. No worries if you need 4 weeks, since it sounds like you practice good sanitation. Just make sure there is plenty of liquid in the airlock so it doesn't dry up.

 

[JMV]

Most people leave beer in primary 2-3 weeks. It allows the fermentation to complete, the yeast to clean up after itself, and settle to the bottom. No worries if you need 4 weeks, since it sounds like you practice good sanitation. Just make sure there is plenty of liquid in the airlock so it doesn't dry up.

Thanks, I wasn’t sure how long I could wait.

 

[Rish]

I routinely leave my beers for 4 weeks with good results. I have left some for 6 weeks with no ill effects. I'd say enjoy your vacation then bottle your beer.

 

[hotbeer]

I generally consider it much better to leave beer in the fermenter longer than it is to get it out of the FV too soon. Sometimes even 2 weeks is too soon.

The longer it's in the fermenter the more time for yeast and other stuff to fall out of suspension giving you a cleaner looking beer. Several times I've been almost six weeks.