Rescuing my brew

deviousalex · 03-09-2010, 06:32 PM

So I tried to make an IPA. The boil and everything went fine and now I have transferred it into secondary fermentation. The gravity was at 1.018 (a little high) during the transfers. I tasted it and the problem I have with it is that it's too light on the body for the amount of hops in there. So it tastes really hoppy, not very malty. Is there anything I can do to add more body at this stage?
I was thinking of malting some grains in a small pot and then adding some more DME (no hops) then removing some of that beer (the 5 gallon carboy is full but I also have a 6.5 gallon) and adding in this 'mini brew'. What do you guys think?

**Yooper** · 03-09-2010, 06:34 PM

Remember that carbonation and conditioning will change the character of this beer tremendously.

What was the recipe? If the recipe is lacking, maybe something can be added; but if the recipe is pretty solid, I bet the flavor and body will come.

Sigafoos · 03-09-2010, 06:37 PM

Also, hops tend to fade with age, so if you give it a little time it might seem to become more balanced. If it's too low bodied, though (as opposed to BU:GU), you may be stuck.

XXguy · 03-09-2010, 06:38 PM

I think you're messing with beer before it's finished.

If there's one thing to learn - it's trust the recipe & trust the process. If you want to adjust it the next time, wait until you finally taste the finished product.

Beer will change as it goes through fermentation & conditioning. Let it finish in peace.

kjjohns5 · 03-09-2010, 06:43 PM

Let it be, my friend. The body will work itself out over time.

If you're really worried though, there is one thing that I can possibly think of to add more of a malty taste. Instead of priming with sugar or dextrose, prime with some DME? I realize it's only a little bit of extract but it's a way to add some extra malt.

deviousalex · 03-09-2010, 06:49 PM

Could I just use grains instead of DME for the carbonation to add more flavor? I'd have to be very careful not to bottle bomb something though.

**Yooper** · 03-09-2010, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deviousalex

Could I just use grains instead of DME for the carbonation to add more flavor? I'd have to be very careful not to bottle bomb something though.

No. You add DME or sugar for carbonation, not for flavor. Adding grains wouldn't give you the fermentable sugar for carbonation.

XXguy · 03-09-2010, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YooperBrew

I bet the flavor and body will come

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjjohns5

Let it be, my friend. The body will work itself out over time

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sigafoos

...give it a little time it might seem to become more balanced

Quote:

Originally Posted by YooperBrew

Remember that carbonation and conditioning will change the character of this beer tremendously

You could just let it finish.

deviousalex · 03-09-2010, 07:33 PM

If I let it finish then I don't like it, I'll have made 55 bottles of beer I don't want to drink. That's why I'm trying to avoid.

XXguy · 03-09-2010, 07:38 PM

The reason everyone keeps saying let it finish is because we've been there. We've tasted beer that didn't seem to be "right" at some point in it's life.

If you jack the beer around now - adjusting for a percieved "flaw" - you're changing the recipe. You might have more of a chance of messing up 55 bottles.

If you list the exact recipe - someone can probably tell you if there's a flaw in the recipe.

I know you want to make good beer - we all do. We're just trying to help.