Can I leave it?

[waste not]

Hi guys,

Am making my first ever brew. A Munich Lager from a Brewmaster kit. Put it all together last Thursday (26th) around midday. It was bubbling away nicely in the garage the following morning already. Tonight I get the feeling the bubbling is slowing down.

The problem is on Thursday, one week since the brew started, I have to go away for 5 days. Can I leave it? I have read some guys leave theirs for two weeks regardless, which would be great.

Also what do you think about putting in the Finings clearing agent. Does it do anything other than make the beer clearer? Is it necessary?

Thanks in advance.

[Kevnlis]

I leave all of my brews for minimum 2 weeks. The finings is not necessary, I never use them myself.

[ADHD Curmudgeon]

I've only ever used finings once, when I was starting, (around my third or fourth brew) and I found that it didn't make the slightest bit of difference to anything.
If you time it right, the yeast sediments and it gets clearer by its' self anyway.

[mobydick]

I routinely leave my brews for 3 weeks before bottling. Don't stress.

[waste not]

Thanks a lot. That clears that up. Think i will leave the finings. Keep it simple.

[Danzar]

Thanks a lot. That clears that up. Think i will leave the finings. Keep it simple.

Yep - the only time I bottle earlier than two weeks is if I'm sure it's finished AND I'm in a hurry to build up stocks.

Otherwise I just leave the bugger.

Don't waste your money on finings. It's a purely aesthetic issue. If you really want clearer beer, rack.

I like my beers cloudy personally!

[TommyH]

Definitely better to leave it for another week than to risk bottle bombs

[Longrasser]

Im leaving mine brew in the tub for a month now
Fantastic taste clear brew and it stops you sampling the bottles!