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shrekfx
10-13-2009, 06:22 PM
O.k. I got my pumpkin ale in my secondary, and i dont want to bottle it untill i get a bottle rinser and a bottle tree which will be next sat, (not this up coming one)... What is the normal time to have something in a secondary?. It will be one week this saturday.. And I did take a gravity reading when I racked it and it is at the final reading. will i expect it to drop more from the secondary?
adrock
10-13-2009, 06:23 PM
"Normal" time for secondary aging IMO is at least 2 weeks, but beers can sit in secondary with no detrimental effects (and will probably get better) for several months.
Lerxst
10-13-2009, 06:24 PM
2 weeks is a standard guideline given out. (that old 1-2-3 rule that people are found of isn't a bad guideline to fall back on).

None of my beers hit the bottle/keg in less than 3-4 weeks, secondary or no secondary.
davebl
10-14-2009, 02:14 AM
Your gravity reading may change a point or two... maybe. Usually not, as the term 'secondary fermentation' is really a misnomer. Fermentation happens once (in primary). Secondaries are just for storage/aging/dry hopping/etc.
MrMarbleHead
10-14-2009, 02:25 AM
Start thinking of your secondary as a Bright Tank instead of a secondary fermenter. All of your active fermentation should take place in the primary, and then it is a good idea to leave it in the primary for a couple of extra days after fermentation has subsided to allow the yeast to clean up after themselves. Then if needed the beer should be racked to the bright tank for clarification/aging/ect.
shrekfx
10-14-2009, 02:31 AM
o.k. and whats the best rule to use for determine what beers to put in the "Bright Tank"
MrMarbleHead
10-14-2009, 02:35 AM
That is going to be personal preference and a judgment call. I will usually put anything that is not a wheat or a stout in a secondary, and perhaps an IPA. Those styles don't benefit a whole lot from a secondary, unless it is a really big beer. Some guys just primary for a month and call it good.

You will just have to learn your style and what you prefer. There is no hard and fast rules to a secondary.
shrekfx
10-14-2009, 11:31 AM
o.k. cool. :) heck i'll just do secondary on all of them then.. Just makes the beer room look cool when you can see the beer in the secondarys :)
Niedermier
10-14-2009, 11:48 AM
I dont typically use the bright tank and instead keep the beer in the primary for anywhere from 4-6 weeks. I'm kind of lazy though so that really has more to do with it than anything.
zoebisch01
10-14-2009, 12:32 PM
Yes, secondary fermentation is really a misnomer. You have fermentation where the yeast consumes the sugar and after that you have the yeast cleaning up and then precipitating (flocculating). The rest I believe is chemical processes. Almost all of my session Ales go into kegs post primary (which is usually around 10 days) and then sit until I need them. By that point most everything gets settled out and is pulled off on the first few pours.
blacklab
10-14-2009, 01:43 PM
I've pretty much quit racking to secondary (bright) with typical ales. If I need to dry hop I just toss them in primary after a week and a half or so.

The only reason I would secondary these days is with a beer that really needs some time to mature. Shrek, I don't know what your recipe was, but those holiday beers often need some time for the spices to mellow. I'd let it sit for awhile.
shrekfx
10-14-2009, 05:32 PM
I've pretty much quit racking to secondary (bright) with typical ales. If I need to dry hop I just toss them in primary after a week and a half or so.

The only reason I would secondary these days is with a beer that really needs some time to mature. Shrek, I don't know what your recipe was, but those holiday beers often need some time for the spices to mellow. I'd let it sit for awhile.

o.k. its the MW pumpkin ale. the spices were nutmeg and cinnimen. I plan on letting it sit in the bright tank for probably 12-14 more days then bottle it.. The other is just an autumn amber ale, no special spices in that one, just your grains and hops... will probly be racking that to my bright tank and let sit for 1-2 weeks.. not sure yet.. One of the main reasons for doing this is so I can have more beer going at one time.. That'll free up both my primarys.. I want to do a stout down the road maybe.. not sure yet.
zoebisch01
10-14-2009, 07:53 PM
That's another good, practical reason for the secondary...to free up space.
snails
10-14-2009, 08:26 PM
sorry to jack thread a little but...
i'm fermenting an IPA and i was wanting to add some oak chips to it.. should i rack it to a bright tank then add the oak chips there// or could i just add them to the primary for the last week, 3rd week, in the primary..
ps. i'm not looking for something super oaky i just have the chips and never done it before..