4 Week Primary Fermentation

[jambanks]

I have done two AG brews, but due to work/family commitments i didn't have the time to spend a day doing another until my weekends become mine again. So i decided to do a Wherry kit just to keep my interest alive. Unfortunately the fermentation went slower than expected and i ended up having to go work abroad for a month, just as the FG was getting near. SWMBO was not impressed when i said she could bottle it for me, so unfortunately it has been sat there in the loft for 4weeks in the fermenter

I'm wondering is if this is now destined for the drain? Or has anyone bottled a brew after this long in the primary?

It’s a real shame because the 4 weeks i have been away would have been a nice start to the conditioning process

 

[jamesb]

Just get it bottled, should be fine.

 

[markp]

Just get it bottled, should be fine.

I agree.
Have a quick sniff though first....just to be sure. Your nose will tell you if it is a waste of time bottling it.

ATB

 

[jambanks]

I'll give it a smell when i get back next week, Will there be enough yeast to carbonate or will it have dropped out of suspension, i have some more i can reseed with if need be, couple of grains per bottle?

 

[BigYin]

there should still be plenty of yeasties in suspension in the beer :thumb:

 

[MikeB]

I've done four Wherry kits now and for the last two I didn't even look at them for three weeks - similar thing, busy life and all :)

There's no problem leaving a fermentation for this long. It can't go off through oxidisation as it's sitting under a blanket of CO2. I suppose it must go bad eventually but I'll bet the time it takes will be pretty substantial. I assume the trub starts to rot after a while, or something? Someone knowledgable will be along soon

 

[Sean_Mc]

I've read people leaving their beers for over six months in the FV, re-seeded with yeast when bottling and have reported no sign of autolysis :wha:

 

[jamesb]

I've read people leaving their beers for over six months in the FV, re-seeded with yeast when bottling and have reported no sign of autolysis :wha:

Whereas I've lsot a batch before due to autolysis. Horses for courses.