Help with length of time in the primary

[1newbie]

Brewing my first batch of brew and I know I'm supposed to remove the beer from the primary 24-48 hrs after the air lock has stopped bubbling but is there going to be issues if it is 4-6 days after it stops? My brew will be in the primary for 6 days them I have to leave on an unexpected work trip for 7 day. When I get back it will have been in the primary for 13 days. Am I going to have major issues?
Thanks,

 

[IslandLizard]

Leave it in the primary until it's ready to bottle, 3-4 weeks from now. Your yeast and your beer will love you for it.

 

[Cyclman]

Secondary is unnecessary for most beers, unless you're lagering, adding fruit, wood, something.

2-3 weeks is typical primary time.

 

[E_Marquez]

As stated, leave it be.

Up to a few months has shown me no ill effects so far.

 

[Homercidal]

First, ignore the airlock. In a LOT of cases it really means nothing to the homebrewer.

Use a hydrometer after maybe 2 weeks and see if the FG is where it's expected to be. Then check 3 days later and see if it's changed.

Now if the gravity is low enough, and stable, you can:

a) rack to secondary and let the beer clear a week or two before bottling, or...
b) leave in primary to clear for a week or two before bottling

Racking to secondary is fine if you use proper sanitation and try not to splash the wort. Leaving in primary is ok for a couple of weeks if you think you can transfer the beer to the bottling bucket without sucking up a bunch of yeast and trub.

A lot of homebrewers skip the secondary these days because they have found a little more time on the yeast cake doesn't really affect the beer at all. For myself, I usually just leave in the primary until the beer is finished and fairly clear then rack to a keg and just use it as a secondary. If you bottle, then using a secondary might be preferred just to make it easier to avoid sucking any yeast or trub into the bottling bucket.

Bottom line is, It's all Good, Baby!

 

[1newbie]

Thanks for all the help with my first brew. It's looking good so far and had some piece of mind while I was away.

 

[pjj2ba]

Secondary is unnecessary for most beers, unless you're lagering, adding fruit, wood, something.

2-3 weeks is typical primary time.

This depends on your own taste buds. I do not like the flavor, subtle though it often is, that results when I leave my beer on the yeast for a longer time. I like to ferment and then move my beer to a keg in 2 weeks TOPS for an ale, and 3 weeks for a lager. So for my tastes (and that is who I brew for) a secondary is necessary.

It is strictly a personal decision. It is OK to leave it in a primary, and it is OK to move it to a secondary. If you are just getting started, then primary only is certainly the easier/safer way to go. As you gain confidence in your brewing skills, try it the other way and decide for yourself

 

[brew_ny]

I like to ferment and then move my beer to a keg in 2 weeks TOPS for an ale

cold crash at 10 or 12 days for 2 days, then into the keg on gas at 20 psi for two days, then purge on gas at 7 psi for a day and then drink

but it is all about what works for you

S_M

 

[pjj2ba]

This depends on your own taste buds. I do not like the flavor, subtle though it often is, that results when I leave my beer on the yeast for a longer time. I like to ferment and then move my beer to a keg in 2 weeks TOPS for an ale, and 3 weeks for a lager. So for my tastes (and that is who I brew for) a secondary is necessary.

It is strictly a personal decision. It is OK to leave it in a primary, and it is OK to move it to a secondary. If you are just getting started, then primary only is certainly the easier/safer way to go. As you gain confidence in your brewing skills, try it the other way and decide for yourself

I should add though that many people DO like the flavors that arise from extended yeast cake contact. Again, strictly personal

 

[rekoob]

+1 to all!

 

[Brewrifle]

I do 3 weeks minimum with any and all ales, regardless of the OG.