2nd fermenting for Ales???!
Answers: How much does a second fermenting add to a good Ale? I have a messed up schedule and would like to try it but only if it's worth the risk. Also the best time to transfer?
The main purpose for doing secondary fermentation is to add a clarifying step to your beer. Some folks always do it, other folks swear against it.
Pros:
-Helps clarify your beer
-Adds extra aging to your beer in the fermenter
-Reduces yeast flavor and chance of yeast autolysis caused from a giant, dead, primary yeast cake.
Cons:
-Introduces your beer to extra chances of contamination
-Requires more fermenters
-Takes up extra space
-Adds extra time and work to your fermentation
There's probably other arguments as well, but I can't think of them off the top of my head right now. Usually when doing secondary fermentation, it's good to wait until your gravity has dropped quite a bit and fermentation is slowing down. If your airlock is bubbling only a couple times a minute, then it should be safe to rack over. If I have another brew date timed well, I'll usually rack to secondary, and then use the primary yeast cake for my new brew if its the right style.
You might want to do some research at www.beeradvocate.com That is surely the best source for your questions. If you're into making your own beer, it's probably a community that you will really like.