Time frame for secondary fermentation

[keith6292]

I was wondering how long I can let the beer in secondary fermentation? I have lots of brew on hand and I am in no rush to bottle or keg this beer. It is currently in a dark, cool room.

If I do have a spare keg is it a problem to allow it to sit in the keg for a few months?

 

[flars]

Put it on CO2 in the keg and you're good for a few months. High OG beer even longer. A lightly hopped pale ale may lose some hop character over time.

 

[keith6292]

Is it okay just to leave in the carboy?

 

[flars]

Is it okay just to leave in the carboy?

You can leave it in the carboy, the amount of time depends on head space. A large surface area in the head space will allow oxidation to begin in a shorter time period than when the beer fills the carboy into the neck.

Filling the head space of the carboy with CO2, and refilling periodically, will lengthen the storage time.