Accelerate Fermentation for Beer?

In theory the fermentation for most "average" ales is done in one week. The secondary is mainly to clear. You can speed fermentation by raising the temp, but then you can end up with off flavors. The old addage stands true, "Good things come to those who wait." Cheers,

Don't rush beer. You can make crappy beer fast fermented and not cleared but if you give it the time it needs to be proper you will appreciate the beer you make. My average is 2 weeks in primary and 4 weeks in the secondary although some are 1 week pri. and 2 week sec. and a couple are a month in pri. and 6 months in sec. The style you make will determine how much time you need. Big (high alcohol) and dark beers take more time than light ales.

Wow! Time to slow down and start making better beer. At what percentage do you consider a beer to be high alcohol?

Over 7% ABV. Basically the more fermentables there are the longer the yeast takes to do it's job. You can decrease the primary time by pitching a large starter but the secondary time will not change much. I can highly recommend How to Brew.com