DIPA - questions on SG and secondary

[Carl Spakler]

I racked from primary to secondary last night, the amount of crap at the bottom of the bucket was disturbing! Between the usual yeast sludge, and the dry hop additions there was enough crap to make me think twice before trying the sample I pulled for a SG reading. :-) Glad I was brave, it had a nice hoppy aroma and flavor, it should only improve over the next few weeks.

Question - the SG was ~1.019, which from what I've seen for this type of beer is pretty close to done. The airlock is floating, but not releasing anything after ~10 hours in the carboy. Is it OK to let it sit in the secondary for another couple weeks? I usually do the 1-2-3 week for beers, but this one looks close to done. :confused:

FYI - this is the recipe from the IPA recipe (http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3562&perpage=15&highlight=&pagenumber=3) thread.

[vw addict]

I would maybe let it sit in secondary just to clarify a bit. What was your OG and type of yeast used? You should calculate what your FG will be, but it sounds like you may be close.

[Mad Scientist]

VW, he used White Labs 001

Two weeks will do wonders for the beer, espicially iwht the dry hops. In fact, 3 weeks in secondary will not hurt a thing, and serve only to improve the ale, espicially with three ounce of dry hops.

AFA your question whether it is done fermenting, you might get a slight gravity drop, but do not expect anything exciting.What was you O.G.?

Just because there is no airlock activity, does not means there is no femrentation.

[Carl Spakler]

Thanks...I'll let it sit for a couple weeks then bottle.

Now, time to get a recipe for a wheat beer. :)

[Carl Spakler]

Another question - if the beer spends those additional weeks in the secondary will there still be enough yeast for carbonation?

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by Carl Spakler
Another question - if the beer spends those additional weeks in the secondary will there still be enough yeast for carbonation?

easily - you could let it sit for 6 months and not worry about carbonation.

[Carl Spakler]

Originally posted by HogieWan
easily - you could let it sit for 6 months and not worry about carbonation.

There is no way I could let it sit for 6 months! :-) I get antsy after the major bubbling activity stops! :p


BTW - what the hell is up with the one smilie limit per post?

[Mad Scientist]

The people who run this site do not want you to smile too much....that is what you have homebrew for.

[Fir Na Tine]

Originally posted by Boerne Brew
The people who run this site do not want you to smile too much....that is what you have homebrew for.

Good point.

I just made a IIPA that after 10 days dry hopping in the 2ndary, I pulled another 2 weeks in a third carboy. Just kegged and bottled it Monday. Very clear. I'll probably be sampling it tonight from the keg.