How long will brew last in secondary?

[Curt480]

Hello HBT,

Hoping I can get some feedback from the group. I brewed a batch of double IPA approximately 3 weeks ago. 1 week it remained in my primary and now It's been sitting approximately 2 weeks in my secondary. Will it be alright if I leave for another weak (going to Maui) and when I return bottle it or is that a bad idea? I'm looking for general time frames beer lasts prior to carbonation. I know there are many formulas out there 1-2-2/1-3-2 etc (many combinations) but want to make sure i don't waste this batch. Frankly it looks amazing, smells amazing and I'm not sure i'll have time to bottle it prior to leaving Saturday. On a side note if anyone wants to tell me I'm a lazy ass and I should just bottle it tomorrow prior to leaving that may be the drive I need to do it

P.S - I really need to purchase a keg setup lol.

Thanks all.

 

[Curt480]

Darker then dark IPA - Don't recall IPA being this dark, hence the thread.

 

[tyzippers]

Darker then dark IPA - Don't recall IPA being this dark, hence the thread.

Black IPAs exist!! That being said, since its an IPA, I'd bottle that puppy up! OR, go pick up a few ounces of hops, throw them in the Carnot and dryhop that sucker while you're in Maui! Good luck!

 

[lemy]

Black IPAs exist!! That being said, since its an IPA, I'd bottle that puppy up! OR, go pick up a few ounces of hops, throw them in the Carnot and dryhop that sucker while you're in Maui! Good luck!

Leave it alone. dry hop for 3 days after you get back. No problem

 

[Jay1]

With every dilemma there is opportunity. Dry hop it!

Seriously, I don't think one week will make much difference.

 

[Curt480]

So true story...no additional hops were provided to dry hop. No dry hop was indicated throughout the recipe. Is that odd? Granted I get back Saturday and I will dry hop, but it smells hoppy and looks black and night Very peculiar. In fact, this was a liquid extract recipe which I've never done. Always done malt (big bag powder).

 

[Curt480]

To add to the conversation further...can this thing get hoppier? Can I go to my brew store...buy a big bag of hops, dry hop and let it sit longer? How long can you toy with your brew prior to bottling/kegging like I'm contemplating? Yes, yes I like hops

 

[Mongrel]

I'd bottle before leaving. You have a lot of head space in that secondary.

 

[tyzippers]

To add to the conversation further...can this thing get hoppier? Can I go to my brew store...buy a big bag of hops, dry hop and let it sit longer? How long can you toy with your brew prior to bottling/kegging like I'm contemplating?

Yeah man! Go to the LHBS and pickup a couple ounces of hops and throw em in! Just because its a kit doesn't mean you can't modify it. IPAs are commonly dry hopped. It won't add any perceived bitterness, mostly aroma. 3 or four days should do it. Any longer and you might get so vegetative flavors.

 

[Curt480]

I'd bottle before leaving. You have a lot of head space in that secondary.

I didn't have a full 5 gallons based on what I did, but folks, better safe then sorry. Plus if I bottle tomorrow...when I return...I get to drink it all. No brainer :rockin::cross::cross:

Thanks all!