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secondary fermentation
Hey everybody...quick question for you more experienced brewers. Is there ever a time when you shouldn't transfer a batch into a secondary after the primary fermentation has ended?
Cheers,
Blaine
I never use a secondary for Ales anymore, unless i'm using fruit . You don't need to use a secondary at all, just syphon right off your primary into your bottling bucket. Technically the secondary is the bottle. Even if I made a lager, I would use my keg as a secondary, and just throw it in the fridge for 2 months.
It's really a preference, some people like to, I do not.
I'm with bruguru. I used a secondary when I started brewing because I was reading some out dated books. There's really no need for one but you can use one if you feel like it. I only use a secondary when I bulk age a beer for 6 months because of its high alcohol content. I feel like its an unnecessary step than gives you an opportunity to introduce oxygen and infection. Granted the risk is small but why do it if you don't have to? Plus its less stuff I need to clean. Instead of doing 1 week in primary and 2 in secondary (or whatever schedule you may be using), just do 3 weeks in primary and rack to your bottling bucket or keg.
lovey428 wrote:
Is there ever a time when you shouldn't transfer a batch into a secondary after the primary fermentation has ended?
Wheat beers.
Depends. if you're using a yeast that forms a compact sediment you don't need as secondary. If you're doing an ale and will be out of town a few weeks, maybe do a secondary. I use to use secondary every batch when I first started. I've since learned you can get better beer leaving it in primary for 2 weeks, then just bottle it. it's all a matter of preference and parinoia.
Use safale S04 and you'll have good clear beer with compact sediment and no need for secondary. when ready to bottle just transfer to bottle bucket add the priming sugar and you're good to go.
DC
You could also dump bottling, and go with kegs. One advantage aside from the obvious of having beer on tap, in your house... Secondary or not, any sediment will settle in the keg during carbonation(forced or with sugar). The first glass will contain 90% of this sediment. After that, you won't notice much in the glass. Need bottles for an occasion? Pick up a counter-flow kit, that allows you to fill a bottle from a keg without reducing pressure or getting excessive foam.
The initial invest is steep, but it's a lifetime of pleasure to come after a shitty day at work during the Summer, grab a glass of cold homebrew from the draft, and go sit outside....
jus' sayin'
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