Homebrew question

It isn't absolutely necessary, but it'll help reduce a lot of sediment if you do it right. Depending on your fermenting vessels it can make bottling a lot easier too.

I use glass carboys as primary and a bottling bucket as the secondary so I will do it just to make bottling easier.

And I get ingredients/supplies from either Austin Homebrew online or Marcello's locally.

I've always moved it to secondary. It gets the beer from sitting on the trub too long I think.
I've used Morebeer.com and Northernbrewer.com to get my supplies, but Macellos has a good bit of stuff if you need it in a pinch.

It's kind of a non decript ale from homebrew heaven.com. I wanted a simple beer for my first one. I may go with a honey wheat for my next go round. Thanks for the advice guess I'll move to secondary in a week or two.

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I was wondering if It is necessary to move it to a secondary fermentor as the instructions say

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Just bottled my first batch, and i did not do a secondary fermentation. From what i've read in 2 seperate books, for an ale with a 2 week fermentation period, you don't really need a secondary. For lagers, and longer period fermentations, however, you may need to.

I did not do a secondary, and so far, it tastes great, and i didn't pick up any off flavors from the couple sips i took. Now i have to wait 2 weeks until it bottle conditions.

In order to stave off boredom, i may make a second batch this weekend, i'm thinking a stout or porter.

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Also where do most of y'all get your brew supplies, on line or from a local store?

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Austin Homebrew Supply for online - if you order before 4 (i think) on a weekday, they will ship it the same day. I ordered a temp controller yesterday, it will come in tomorrow. Pretty quick delivery.
If i'm in a pinch, go to Marcello's. They have a decent selection of things you might need in a hurry. There is also brewstock in New Orleans that i got all my ingredients from for my first batch. They have a good selection of hops, malts, and grains.

I would trust SG readings. Really, 90 secs between bubbles is not done fermenting

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From what i've read in 2 seperate books, for an ale with a 2 week fermentation period, you don't really need a secondary. For lagers, and longer period fermentations, however, you may need to.

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Yea kind of what I gathered from what I read. I don't mind ordering ingredient kits online I just don't like paying 15 bucks for shipping. I've been to marcellos and I was not impressed with the selection. Just trying to find a cost effective way of obtaining quality ingredients.

I would trust SG readings. Really, 90 secs between bubbles is not done fermenting

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I guess that's where my confusion comes in should I let it finish in the primary or secondary fermentor. If I transfer in a week or two then I will def wait until fermentation is done before bottling. I'm still on the fence Ill prob do it the easy way and skip the secondary all together.

Personally I rarely secondary. That actually reminds me that I need to either keg a beer or move it to the secondary. It has been sitting in the primary for about a month now, which is typically my limit.

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a good summertime beer

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IPAs are good summer, winter, fall and spring.

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I don't mind ordering ingredient kits online I just don't like paying 15 bucks for shipping.

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Austin Homebrew Supply ships all orders for $8 (free shipping if your order is over $100). Last week I ordered some stuff from them Monday afternoon and it was at my house Wednesday early evening.