After Fermentation

[btsager]

How long can beer sit in the fermentation process? I travel sometimes and may not always be home to bottle/keg my beer as soon as it is done fermenting, I am wondering how long it will last.

Also, I notice alot of people use glass during fermentation and then some also use plastic buckets. I also see there are stainless steel fermenters available. Is there any benefit to use one over the other when it comes to quality and taste?

Edit: Another question, Has anyone tried out the 5L party Kegs? Can they be primed with sugar like with bottles?

[MrNate]

I'm pretty lax, but I don't like to let my beer sit in primary longer than 2 weeks. Once it's in secondary, kegs, or bottles you can safely ignore it for a while, but while it's on the yeast cake you have to be careful.

I recently left a cider on the cake for 3 weeks... which I've done before with no problems... but this time the yeast autolyzed and I have 5 gallons of slightly rubbery cider.

[Mad Scientist]

Was it a vulcanized or a latex taste?


I try to avoid going longer than 2 weeks unless it s something really big....

[MrNate]

Originally posted by Boerne Brew
Was it a vulcanized or a latex taste?


I try to avoid going longer than 2 weeks unless it s something really big....

If by "vulcanized" you mean "burnt", I'll take Vulcanized for $100.

Seriously, it was absolutely, 100%, no question about it autolysis. Brothy, burnt rubber aroma/taste. Faint but noticeable. I never believed in autolysis before that.