Secondary Fermentation

[brownsbrews]

Is there a specific gravity i should have befor transfuring or just after about a week or so it should be good? I was told a week i am just making sure i wasnt miss told.

 

[carnevoodoo]

You shouldn't move your beer into secondary until the beer has stopped fermenting. Checking the hydrometer is a good way to go. A week is typically not enough. You'll be better off leaving it to finish in primary. If you want to transfer after that, it is up to you.

 

[BendBrewer]

Just leave it in Primary for 2 weeks and bottle it.

 

[brownsbrews]

well i am gonna be gone when it hits to 2 week mark. But also that brings up 2 questions that i have read. Dosent the yeast start dieing after about 2 weeks causing off taste. And doing a secondary fermention will help make the beer more clear? Was i told wrong? So was i told wrong?

 

[Six_O_Turbo]

Yea, you were told wrong. Provided you use a good, healthy pitch of yeast, you can leave your beer in the primary for at least a month or more with no detrimental effect. This is highly recommended by many brewers here in fact. They generally get very nice clear beer.

I like to secondary most of my beers after a couple of weeks because I feel I get better quality beer, but it's totally up to you. I suggest trying both methods and going with what works best for you.

 

[marubozo]

well i am gonna be gone when it hits to 2 week mark. But also that brings up 2 questions that i have read. Dosent the yeast start dieing after about 2 weeks causing off taste. And doing a secondary fermention will help make the beer more clear? Was i told wrong? So was i told wrong?

For the most part, yes, you were told wrong. The idea that leaving the beer on yeast for too long has been a bit overstated. A few weeks is nothing, and actually preferable in most cases. Until you start considering leaving your beer in the primary and on the yeast for many months, you have little to worry about.

This has basically given rise to the habit of many new brewers to rack to secondary "just because" when really there aren't many benefits for most styles unless you're adding fruit, dry hopping, or bulk aging. That being said, you can leave your beer in the primary for a month if you want and it will be just fine.

Personally, I usually end up leaving all of my beers in the primary for a month or more before moving to the keg. It's usually just because I'm lazy, but regardless they turn out great and crystal clear after a few weeks in the keg.