Fermenter / Batch Fermentation

Question: How long can you leave homemade beer in the primary fermenter?

(Posted by: Drunkband on 2009-10-19 11:17:52)

5- 8 days seems right from what I know. What are the unwanted results. < > < > : } < > < >

Posted by: BEER on 2009-10-19, 18:03:04

The hydrometer reading is a good brewer's practice. Once the alpha fermentation has subsided you can rack. Judge this by the rapid reduction in S.G. over a couple of days followed by a slower reduction. This is the time for a reading. But in home brewing and for a racking to a settling tank no reading is required really. I would not allow the wort to sit on the yeast in either fermenting tank for more than a few days and no more than three weeks. If you have need to allow a longer aging then rack it again. Here you would do well by laying down a blanket of CO2 in the vessel prior to the transfer for microbio safety and reducing oxidation risk.

Posted by: ffl04122007 on 2009-10-19, 12:11:53

You start with 5-8 days but the only way to tell if your beer is fully fermented is to use a hydrometer. You should take a hydrometer reading on 2-3 consecutive days and if it does not change then the beer has finished fermenting.

Posted by: Rex on 2009-10-19, 12:23:12

That is the way to go, if you leave it in there too long, it will over ferment and taste horrible, you just have to test it out, until you get the taste that you like drink one for rex

Posted by: Fire on 2009-10-19, 13:29:57

5 to 8? uh, you better do some research because not all beer types are created equal! research online, what type of beer did you brew?

Posted by: oikos on 2009-10-20, 07:47:49

I generally let it go for a week or two before racking to a glass carboy. Any longer than this and you could get an off-taste from the plastic.