should I put my beer into a second fermenter
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 2:22 pm
by smokehouse
I did my first brew a few days ago. A Hefeweizen. The directions said to let the beer settle for 3-4 days after i don't see anymore bubbles, generally a week total. I bought another kit of a different Hefeweizen to experiment with by putting some fruit flavor in there for the wife. These directions say to ferment for one week and then transfer over to a second fermenter for another week. My question is should I ferment my first batch in a second fermenter even though the directions say not too?
Re: should I put my beer into a second fermenter
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 4:04 pm
by anday6
Secondary isn't necessary unless you are actually doing a second fermentation. If you plan on fermenting the fruit, then it might be a good idea to rack to a secondary vessel. But if you are adding an extract then skip it.
You're better off leaving the beer on the yeast about 2 weeks. Just be sure to take a gravity sample around 7 days to make sure it's finished. Then give it a little more time to let the yeast take up some fermentation byproducts and clean up after themselves.
Cheers and enjoy your beers!
Re: should I put my beer into a second fermenter
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 5:16 pm
by captain carrot
Yeah, I think especially for a Hefewiezen keg or bottle it after 2 weeks in the primary and drink it fresh.
IPAs too. I don't bother with a secondary for ales except for fruit beers like anday6 said.
Secondary fermentation equals more unnecesary transfering and cleaning.
Package and enjoy!
Re: should I put my beer into a second fermenter
Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 1:41 pm
by BeaverBarber
Short answer is No.
Long answer is No, because you need to think of your yeast as messy janitors. Yeast make a mess and then they need to clean up after themselves. A week of clean up is fine. I get the feeling that's all you need to know at this point. As far as your wife is concerned, here's what I'd do: 1.) brew a beer you want. 2.) buy several different extract flavors 3.) put one drop of whatever she likes in her pint glass; no more than 1 drop because they're powerful. 4.) She thinks your being thoughtful, and that's your recipe for love.
Re: should I put my beer into a second fermenter
Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 2:29 pm
by spiderwrangler
BeaverBarber wrote: and that's your recipe for love.
My recipe for love involves a secret sauce...
Re: should I put my beer into a second fermenter
Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 4:30 pm
by BeaverBarber
spiderwrangler wrote:BeaverBarber wrote: and that's your recipe for love.
My recipe for love involves a secret sauce...
I know spiders hang out on the roof, but a spider roofie? I suppose it could work.
Re: should I put my beer into a second fermenter
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 7:27 am
by Ozwald
spiderwrangler wrote:BeaverBarber wrote: and that's your recipe for love.
My recipe for love involves a secret sauce...
That sauce ain't no secret. Not sayin, just sayin.