National Homebrew Club Ireland

General Discussions => Brewing Communities => Rebel Brewers => Topic started by: diarmaid_h on June 12, 2013, 09:44:45 AM

Title: How long is too long??
Post by: diarmaid_h on June 12, 2013, 09:44:45 AM
Hi Guys,

Few weeks back I posted up about getting bottles to finish off my second every brew, an irish stout from coopers. Due to being very busy at the time I never got the chance to pick up the bottles or bottle my brew so the beer has been sitting in the primary fermentation bucket under airlock for about 4 weeks.

Have I ruined this beer or will it be ok to bottle it? I was told it should be ok by a friend but I haven't a notion!!
Title: Re: How long is too long??
Post by: DEMPSEY on June 12, 2013, 09:50:15 AM
Taste it and see. I did this before and went for weeks,it was fine. Remember as long as you did not let air in to the vessel and you kept it in a stable temperature place it can last for a good while. Too much yeast lying in the bottom of the vessel can cause off flavours so that is the major worry. TASTE IT. :) :)
Title: Re: How long is too long??
Post by: diarmaid_h on June 12, 2013, 10:35:14 AM
Ok sounds good, I'll give it a taste at lunch and see how she's looking :)
Title: Re: How long is too long??
Post by: Garry on June 12, 2013, 11:02:51 AM
I think 6 to 7 weeks in the primary is when you start running the risk of getting off-flavors.
Title: Re: How long is too long??
Post by: LordEoin on June 12, 2013, 08:06:52 PM
Yeah, you should be fine at 4 weeks. It probably just gave the yeast plenty of time to clean up after itself.
Pour a glass, smell it, taste it, bottle it :)
Title: Re: How long is too long??
Post by: RichC on June 13, 2013, 04:09:03 AM
Ive done 4 weeks on loads of occasions without problems, and on occasion longer