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bottlebass
06-13-2005, 09:57 PM
Can I let my primary stage go another week? It's been 2 weeks as of today.
BrewDog
06-13-2005, 10:42 PM
2 weeks is about the upper limit. I wouldn't do it.
You will get off flavors.
bottlebass
06-13-2005, 10:44 PM
would an extra day hurt? Just to late tonite.
fretlessman71
06-13-2005, 10:44 PM
As soon as it's done bubbling, get it off that yeast cake. Rerack to 2ndary if you're not ready to bottle - it'll keep a little longer. (Apologies if you already knew this...)
bottlebass
06-13-2005, 10:56 PM
I will put it in a secondary. How long will I keep it in there? it's been awhile since I did it.
fretlessman71
06-13-2005, 11:07 PM
Almost as long as you like. Just make sure you don't get a 2nd yeast cake (keep an eye on it - "yeast poop" isn't good for aging beer). If you do, it's time to bottle or rerack to 3rdary. :)
HogieWan
06-14-2005, 10:05 AM
I don't like leaving mine in primary more than 10 days. But secondary can be a good six weeks for a standard ale (longer for a lager because of temp). You will still have enough yeast in suspension for carbonation.
I'mRocketMan
06-14-2005, 10:51 AM
I have had no problems with 5 or even 6 week primarys, no off flavors that I can taste... Of course YMMV!
toneyc
06-14-2005, 11:47 AM
Originally posted by I'mRocketMan
I have had no problems with 5 or even 6 week primarys, no off flavors that I can taste... Of course YMMV!

I made an English Pale Ale once that I left in primary for 4 weeks. That was a hard beer to drink, I'll tell ya!

:)
Toney.
HogieWan
06-14-2005, 11:50 AM
Originally posted by I'mRocketMan
I have had no problems with 5 or even 6 week primarys, no off flavors that I can taste... Of course YMMV!

Was there a lot of hops in that beer or anything that may contribute to what some see as an unusual outcome?
BrewDog
06-14-2005, 10:05 PM
A lot of people use the 1-2-3 method:
1 wk primary, 2 wks secondary, 3 weeks bottles.

The bigger the beer, though, the more it will benefit from a longer secondary. (big being 1.060 or higher).

For most beers in the 1.040-1.050 range, 1-3 weeks is plenty.
Basically, just use your judgement.
HogieWan
06-15-2005, 09:44 AM
Originally posted by BrewDog
Basically, just use your judgement.

Or use my method (the lazy homebrewer's method) - primary for 7 to 10 days. I'm pretty strict on that - racking to secondary doesn't take very long and is not much trouble. Then let it sit in secondary at least 2 weeks. Bottle whenever you have time and/or feel like it.:)