Length of Secondary Fermentation

[hexalite]

Is it okay to leave wort in the carboy for more than 2 weeks during the secondary fermentation? Both my brewing partner and I are too busy to deal with the brew as school is almost finnished and we're getting pounded with last midterms and essays.

If we had to leave it in there for 4 weeks would it still be okay?

[Stodbrew]

Yep, you're good.

[Audiopup]

You have nothing to worry about. I had a friend who brewed an ESB and left it in the secondary for 6 weeks because he had some major renovations done at his house and forgot about it. It was some of the best homebrew, if not best beer, I have ever tasted.

[I'mRocketMan]

I have secondaried for months in cornys with only excellent (according to to my buds) beer as a result. Of course MOST of them were pretty big Belgians and such, but I have also had an ESB a few months and it is awesome as I sip it now!

Cheers! Rocket, JJ and Brain at the Launch Pad MRR.

[eyepah]

Its a yeast after-bar and everyone's invited. Everyone accept the trub.

Isnt it like having one big bottle conditioning festival in there?

I would imagine that, like wine and booze, less character develops with lower to mid range ABV beers in the bottle. Im not so sure???

Isnt it true that hop flavors diminish over time allowing malt flavors to come forth in the bottle?

What really happens in the secondary? Yeast settle out yeilding a clearer beer. They pass out due to alcohol or just retire. I have read that they can die in there causing some nasty sulfury off-flavors

My ESB story is congruent with the others...It becomes smoother and better with age in the secondary.

[hexalite]

Yeah, I'm actually worried about the yeast dying. We carbonate naturally by adding extra sugar just before bottling. I need the yeast to help carbonate.

Is it possible to throw in some extra yeast later? Then, how much would I add?

[BrewDog]

Don't worry. You can leave the beer in secondary for a few months and there'll still be enough yeast to carb.

[Derekt2]

You could add yeast later but don't. The yeast won't die that quickly and the beer will be fine.

[hexalite]

Thanks guys, I apprechiate the help!