Questions on the secondary...

[dammann459]

First Timer
I brewed an IPA from a book recipe and have transferred it into the secondary...I only left it in the primary for 3 days after I saw it wasn't bubbling in the ferment lock...It seemed early to transfer. Anyway, I took another hydrometer reading when I transferred and the reading was basically what the recipe stated would be the final gravity. Since that time, I haven't seen much activity (tiny bubbles on the sides of the ferment lock). Also the beer has darkened almost all the way down (maybe 3 inches of haziness). Does it sound like I mussed something up? Just don't want to bottle too soon if its not ready. It's been 7 days since I poured the wort.

 

[Sasquatch]

Sounds like you had a real good fermentation. Leave it in secondary and it will clear up over the next week, and then you can bottle. The gravity will probably move a tiny bit, but it sounds like you're damn near done.

 

[Orfy]

Racking from one container to another for secondary usually kick starts a bit more fermentation but not much. the sg will usually drop a point or so at most.

 

[Beer Snob]

Sounds like the only thing you need to do here is have a few homebrews and relax Give it some time, things look good.

 

[cweston]

Just adding to what the others have said: calling the secondary a "secondary fermentaion" is a bit of a misnomer. There's a little bit of fermentatio going on in there (racking re-suspends the yeast and kickstarts it a bit), but it's mostly for clarification. The main point of racking is to get the beer off the trub in the primary and allow it to clarify in the secondary.

 

[dammann459]

Thanks for the advice.

 

[mikebcore]

Just adding to what the others have said: calling the secondary a "secondary fermentaion" is a bit of a misnomer. There's a little bit of fermentatio going on in there (racking re-suspends the yeast and kickstarts it a bit), but it's mostly for clarification. The main point of racking is to get the beer off the trub in the primary and allow it to clarify in the secondary.

I guess it sounds stupid now but i struggled with understanding the reasoning behind using a second fermentor. Get it off the trub. Got it. this site is very helpfull. Thanks to all.