Secondary fermentatin.

alaskajeff · Jun 12, 2015

I'm brewing a batch of Pale Ale from extract; I used a smack pack of yeast instead of the dry yeast it came with. Fermentation really took of the following day so much so that I had to add a blow off tube. I left it in the primary for 10 days then transferred it to the secondary when it settled down. Things are clearing up but there are still minute bubbles forming on the surface; its been in the secondary for 4 days now. How much longer should I let it sit before I bottle it ?

I didn't take any hydrometer readings unfortunately.

masonsjax · Jun 12, 2015

Take some hydrometer readings at least 3 days apart. If it's no longer dropping, you should be safe to bottle.

C-Rider · Jun 12, 2015

Agree w/Take some hydrometer readings at least 3 days apart. And next time forget the secondary unless you need the primary to do another brew. A Pale Ale really does NOT need a secondary nor do most ales.

oljimmy · Jun 12, 2015

If it took off as you say, and you've been fermenting at normal Pale Ale temps (64-72F), it is almost certainly very close to finished. Best practice is to take a hydrometer reading as others say, but to be honest I never do this: I just look for the beer to start clearing and for the activity to have settled down for 3-4 days. Haven't had a problem with this. The tiny bubbles you see need not be fermentation, they may simply be CO2 coming out of suspension.

I don't do secondary, though, and this is one reason: In my view, racking slows fermentation and adds to the amount of time it takes for the yeast to get all of its jobs done.

javaking · Jun 12, 2015

Usually at least one week in the secondary, any time after that is up to how long you want to wait and let the beer profile develop. Some stronger beer styles (belgian strongs, big IPAs) can spend weeks to months in the secondary so it also depends on the style of beer you're brewing.

Cheers!

alaskajeff · Jun 12, 2015

Thanks for the replies everyone ! I will start taking readings from now on. From what I have read here I think I will be safe to bottle on Monday night !