"extract twang"

bluelightguy · 06-23-2008, 02:28 AM

Was wondering if anyone could dercribe the so called "extract twang" for me .
i not sure what it is i'm tasting in my beer , i'm new to brewing.i have done 3 batches and all have the same flavor . i have been reading like crazy but can't get this nailed down.

thanks all

Brewsmith · 06-23-2008, 02:29 AM

Can you explain what you are tasting?

bluelightguy · 06-23-2008, 02:38 AM

it's a bitter or sour aftertaste, the carbing is fine , the head looks great it's clean and clear , i'm 100% happy with the way it looksand pours , it's 4 weeks in the bottle .

Tankard · 06-23-2008, 02:51 AM

That bitter aftertaste sounds like extract twang... I'm not so sure about the "sour" part though.

It's hard to describe extract twang. What I did to define it was to brew an SNPA clone, and then I compared it to an SNPA. I knew it wasn't going to taste the same, obviously, but my brew had a distinct "bite" that the SNPA did not. After another extract brew, I got the same aftertaste, and I switched over to all grain.

Extract twang is not necessarily bad, it just keeps your beers from tasting like commercial beers (which is what most homebrewers shoot for).

HOOTER · 06-23-2008, 02:52 AM

That's a tough one. I've tasted it but I'm not sure I can describe it. It's sort of like a "twang".

But seriously, I guess it's a very subtle acidic type of flavor. However you chose to describe it using dry extract will eliminate it.

brewt00l · 06-23-2008, 02:54 AM

coppery, metallic...sucking on a penny kinda thing

Tankard · 06-23-2008, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewt00l

coppery, metallic...sucking on a penny kinda thing

That's a good explanation. Coppery metallic taste + bitter hope bite = extract twang

**Austinhomebrew** · 06-23-2008, 04:03 AM

What container did the extract come in? What is the expiration date?
It is usually on the bottom of the can.....

If you have fresh extract from bulk (not cans) and it hasn't oxydised. You won't have a problem. Don't blame the extract for the container it was in.

That copper penny taste is the can the extract came in. Have you tasted fresh pineapple versus canned pineapple. When you eat it from a can you get a nasty metallic flavor in the pineapple. Do you blame the pineapple and say "pineapple twang"? No you blame the can and never buy it in cans again.

Here are a few ways to get rid of the problem you are having. Buy extract only from bulk. Buy extract made in North America. Don't buy old extract in a can. If the extract was made in another country, it has been in a can for at least 6 months before it reaches you.

Our customers do not complain about "extract twang". My Imperial Stout recipe calls for 13 pounds of extract. I taste tested with customers that are very experienced all-grainers and many of them thought it was an all-grain batch.

We only buy extract that is made in North America and we order in small amounts to keep it as fresh as possible. We sell over 135,000 pounds a year so you know it is always fresh.

Forrest

brewfire · 06-23-2008, 04:58 AM

If you cant get a hold of a bottle of some bodies AG in your area and compare the taste try and get something within the same style.

Or brew a fresh wort kit from your supplier and a can version may give you the answer to extract twang

**Chris_Dog** · 06-23-2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austinhomebrew

What container did the extract come in? What is the expiration date?
It is usually on the bottom of the can.....

If you have fresh extract from bulk (not cans) and it hasn't oxydised. You won't have a problem. Don't blame the extract for the container it was in.

That copper penny taste is the can the extract came in. Have you tasted fresh pineapple versus canned pineapple. When you eat it from a can you get a nasty metallic flavor in the pineapple. Do you blame the pineapple and say "pineapple twang"? No you blame the can and never buy it in cans again.

Here are a few ways to get rid of the problem you are having. Buy extract only from bulk. Buy extract made in North America. Don't buy old extract in a can. If the extract was made in another country, it has been in a can for at least 6 months before it reaches you.

Our customers do not complain about "extract twang". My Imperial Stout recipe calls for 13 pounds of extract. I taste tested with customers that are very experienced all-grainers and many of them thought it was an all-grain batch.

We only buy extract that is made in North America and we order in small amounts to keep it as fresh as possible. We sell over 135,000 pounds a year so you know it is always fresh.

Forrest

Good analogy Forrest! I never had the luxury of fresh LME before switching.