Oktoberfest sample - a little sweet.

mysterio · 08-10-2006, 04:38 PM

I just had a sample of my Oktoberfest that i've just started lagering after a diacetyl rest. It is still in the primary and I plan to start force-carbing this next week after it has cleared up a little.

It is very sweet & thick tasting. I know the bitterness is supposed to be pretty low in this style but I think it might be too low the way I've calculated it. I'm thinking I should either boil some hops and add the liquid to the primary, or wait until it has carbed until I take another sample.

The OG was ~1.063, FG ~1.017. It was a 5 Imp gallon batch (6US gallons). The "~" is because I'm rubbish at taking hydrometer readings and it could be a few points either way. Hop additions were an ounce each of Tettnang (4.3AA) & Hallertau Hersbruck (3.2AA), 60 mins only.

Any tips appeciated!

uwmgdman · 08-10-2006, 04:58 PM

Depending on your boil volume, I get your IBUs between 15 and 22. Given your OG, that's a BU:GU ratio of 0.23 to 0.34. Going through Ray Daniel's book, he suggests BU:GU ratios for Oktoberfests to be around 0.50-0.57 (IBUs 25-35).

So adding some hop tea might not be a bad idea. I never have done that, but I would guess it wouldn't become more balanced as time goes on, if anything it seems to me the bitterness tends to mellow with time.

mysterio · 08-10-2006, 05:06 PM

Did you get your IBU's from Beersmith or Promash (or somewhere else)? The formulas for calculating IBUs are different so this is probably where I went wrong.

Anyone got experience with hop teas? How much liquid vs how much hops?

uwmgdman · 08-10-2006, 05:14 PM

Those ranges are from the recipator.

I also plugged them into my own spreadsheet just now which uses the equation from Palmer's book (page 64 in the second print edition, with a slight fudge factor for my own set up) and that comes out with 20 IBUs (0.31 BU:GU). EDIT: Assuming a full volume boil, it would be slightly less if it was a partial boil.

mysterio · 08-10-2006, 05:22 PM

Yes this is a full volume boil. Looks like I need some extra IBUs.

uwmgdman · 08-10-2006, 05:29 PM

Sorry I don't have any info on the hop tea, I'm sure someone will chime in soon. Good luck with the beer, I can't wait for my 'fest to be carbed, it's been in the bottle for a week yesterday, I'll try the first one tomorrow.

mysterio · 08-10-2006, 05:31 PM

I read on another forum that hops boiled in plain water can release harsh tannins... maybe I'll try some hop extract instead. Good luck with your 'fest also!

Exo · 08-10-2006, 05:59 PM

My O'fest was boiled on July 14th. It's finally finished fermenting and is now clearing in the secondary after being in for 15 days...but my temps are 62deg. Think I'll hold it there another week then transfer to bottles.