True Brew IPA kit questions

[brewinginfuta]

Hey there,

I'm about to brew up my first batch and I bought a True Brew IPA kit. I have a fermenting bucket and a carboy. Is it necessary to do a secondary fermentation in the carboy? Are there benefits?

Finally, I imagine that the kit has been sitting there for a while and I'm wondering if it's better to substitute the yeast from the pack for a fresher/higher quality yeast.

Thanks!!!

 

[LovesIPA]

A secondary isn't necessary. There aren't any benefits unless you're doing fruit or spices and you add the risk of oxidation and infection. Since it's your first brew just keep it simple.

Depends what you mean by "a while". What's the date on the package?

 

[wilconrad]

To secondary or not to secondary... This is a controversial and much discussed question here. There are strong opinions on this one.

Rather than turn this thread into yet another debate of the pros and cons for using secondaries, I'll just tell you the main points to consider in your choice.

Upside to using a secondary:
-You get the beer off the yeast which some believe is beneficial due to yeast "lysing" which can cause off flavors.
-It's a little easier to make clearer beer with a secondary because there is less sludge in the fermenter to get stirred up when you bottle.

Downside:
-You risk contamination every time you touch the beer, so you risk it when moving into a secondary.
-You have to clean more stuff

Personally, I'm not a big fan of using secondaries because you can get beer just as clear in the primary and I'm not worried about lysing. Also, I'm lazy.

 

[wilconrad]

On the yeast question: build a quick starter with a qt of water and a 1/2 cup of dme. Boil, cool and dump the yeast in. It should come to life within 24hrs and you'll accomplish two things:
1. You'll know the yeast is active
2. You'll increase your pitch rate and get your yeast charged up for action

 

[Davick57]

This is great news!! Way easier the inward told. I was told to leave in a bucket with the lid on loose for 4 to 7 days then transfer to carbon then put air lock on and wait for another 2 weeks then transfer back to clean bucket then bottle? Seems like a lot of work. Last time I made it in the bucket them transferred to carboy then waited almost three weeks then transferred to clean bucket then bottled. I'm still trying to get the right process done!!

 

[Davick57]

To secondary or not to secondary... This is a controversial and much discussed question here. There are strong opinions on this one. Rather than turn this thread into yet another debate of the pros and cons for using secondaries, I'll just tell you the main points to consider in your choice. Upside to using a secondary: -You get the beer off the yeast which some believe is beneficial due to yeast "lysing" which can cause off flavors. -It's a little easier to make clearer beer with a secondary because there is less sludge in the fermenter to get stirred up when you bottle. Downside: -You risk contamination every time you touch the beer, so you risk it when moving into a secondary. -You have to clean more stuff Personally, I'm not a big fan of using secondaries because you can get beer just as clear in the primary and I'm not worried about lysing. Also, I'm lazy.

why are you not worried about lysing? How are you so sure ?

 

[LovesIPA]

For whatever reason, the kits always come with terrible instructions that give flat-out wrong advice. There is no way anyone should be touching their beer after it's been in primary for four days. That's WAY too soon.

Leave in the primary fermenter, with the lid firmly on, with an airlock in place, for at least two weeks. I let mine go three weeks, with the longest being almost five weeks. Autolysis just isn't a risk to be concerned at the homebrewing level. That belief stems from information contained in the first edition of Palmer's book and he has since retracted the advice.

Then check the gravity and check it again in three days. If there is no change, it's safe to bottle.

 

[LovesIPA]

why are you not worried about lysing? How are you so sure ?

As I understand it, one of the primary causes of autolysis is the immense pressure created at the bottom of large commercial fermentation tanks. The pressure crushes the cell walls of the yeast, leading to serious off-flavors. And you don't get that when all you have is a lousy five gallons.

There was a thread on here a few months ago about a brewer that left his beer in the primary for over 6 months and the beer was fantastic.

There is also a thread that recently got bumped about Jamil and Palmer discussing whether a secondary is necessary, and with the high-quality yeast that's available today to home brewers, it just isn't a risk we need to worry about.

 

[wilconrad]

why are you not worried about lysing? How are you so sure ?

As LovesIPA points out, the concern on lysing comes from a brief section in Palmers book that he has since revised. Autolysis isn't a concern at the scale we're brewing, and it doesn't happen quickly enough to be an issue for us either. I secondary my lagers, as they'll be sitting in the fermenter for months, but don't worry with it for most of my brews.

 

[Davick57]

We all know an air lock isn't always accurate , is it fine for me to leave my fermenter for another 2 weeks even if the air lock has stopped bubbling ?

 

[LovesIPA]

We all know an air lock isn't always accurate , is it fine for me to leave my fermenter for another 2 weeks even if the air lock has stopped bubbling ?

You can leave it in there for months and it will be fine, as long as you keep the airlock wet. I use cheap vodka. Doesn't foam, is sanitary, and won't hurt the beer if it gets sucked back in.

 

[cebo40]

Just brewed the same batch today. Not planning to do a secondary. Shooting for 3-4 weeks ferm then 2 weeks in the bottle.

Will update in a month!

 

[DanzigsMISFITS]

Just brewed the same batch today. Not planning to do a secondary. Shooting for 3-4 weeks ferm then 2 weeks in the bottle.

Will update in a month!

Any update