 |
|
08-07-2008, 09:53 PM
|
#1
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 13
|
My first amber ale was a little...what went wrong
|
|
Aloha from Hawaii...
New to the forum, but I've already learned alot.
My first batch (aside from 3 gallons of Mr. Brew my mother-in-law got me) was an Amber Ale (malt extract, cracked grains, hop pellets). I got the recipe from my LHBS and followed it to the letter, EXCEPT for not topping it off to 5 gallons.
It was in primary fermentation - 10 days.
Bottle - 10 days.
The result was a pretty stout/strong brew, good amber flavor, but it seemed a little syrupy. I enjoyed it; friends who appreciate heavier dark beers enjoyed it too. My Coors light drinking friends were scared of it. The ABV was high (I didn't measure it, but I could tell).
My question: What happens if you short your batch...meaning I mis-read my bucket and only brewed 4 gallons of what should have been a 5 gallon batch??
Thanks in advance...
Minor
sends
|
|
|
|
08-07-2008, 10:04 PM
|
#2
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 8,523
|
In general, I believe that everything will just come out more concentrated. The malt will be thicker and darker, the alcohol will be stronger, and the hops will be more bitter and aromatic.
|
|
|
|
|
08-07-2008, 10:19 PM
|
#3
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 13
|
That's what I thought...
|
|
I figured that, but was curious what others might say...maybe get some "ah-haa" answer.
Thanks.
Minor
sends
|
|
|
|
|
08-07-2008, 10:24 PM
|
#4
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chico, CA
Posts: 3,933
|
Nice work, and welcome to the forum!
What bernerbits is exactly right...due to making 4 gallons instead of 5 you've got a lot more hops, malt, and alcohol in every bottle! Not necessarily a bad thing either...just call it your Imperial Amber Ale when you give it to friends. Nice work on scaring your BMC friends  . |
|
|
|
|
08-07-2008, 10:46 PM
|
#5
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 13
|
Thanks TwoHeads...
Imperial Amber Ale it is...
LM
|
|
|
|
|
08-07-2008, 11:00 PM
|
#6
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Santa Barbara
Posts: 722
|
10 days in the primary and 10 days in the bottle is not enough time. For an amber ale, it should have been in the primary at least 2 weeks, 3 - 4 would have been better. And then 2-3 weeks once it is in the bottle.
|
|
|
|
|
08-07-2008, 11:08 PM
|
#7
|
|
Maniacally Malty
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 21,798
|
definitely heavier in alcohol (higher concentration of sugars in lower amount of liquid.)
that being said, i agree with tankard. Everything smooths out with age. If you used a secondary after the 10 days for another 10 days and then left it 4-6 weeks in bottles, it would be a much smoother brew 
if you have more bottles, let them sit for a few weeks at room temp...you'll see. |
|
|
|
|
08-07-2008, 11:11 PM
|
#8
|
|
Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: "Detroitish" Michigan
Posts: 36,054
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tankard
10 days in the primary and 10 days in the bottle is not enough time. For an amber ale, it should have been in the primary at least 2 weeks, 3 - 4 would have been better. And then 2-3 weeks once it is in the bottle.
|
Yes....leave them at 70 degrees for another 2 weeks and see if they don't taste better...you are drinking really green beer...
Read this and enjoy the snazzy video...
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/stone-cold-lead-pipe-lockd-n00b-advice-54362/index11.html
__________________
Revvy's one of the cool reverends. He has a Harley and a t-shirt that says on the back "If you can read this, the bitch was Raptured. - Madman
I gotta tell ya, just between us girls, that Revvy is HOT. Very tall, gorgeous grey hair and a terrific smile. He's very good looking in person, with a charismatic personality... he drives like a ****ing maniac! - YooperBrew
|
|
|
|
|
08-08-2008, 01:26 AM
|
#9
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Berkley, MI
Posts: 483
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tankard
10 days in the primary and 10 days in the bottle is not enough time. For an amber ale, it should have been in the primary at least 2 weeks, 3 - 4 would have been better. And then 2-3 weeks once it is in the bottle.
|
This what I am doing with my amber. 2 weeks in primary and just finishing up my fourth week in the bottle. |
|
|
|
|
08-08-2008, 03:31 AM
|
#10
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Columbus WI
Posts: 2,879
|
As a rule of thumb I leave everything in the Primary for 3 weeks and bottle age for 4 weeks.
And while I'm waiting I brew more.
__________________
Grinders Island Brewery - Pipeline (Batch #)
Secondary Kentucky Common(83)
Primary #1 Scottish Ale 70(84)
Primary #2 The Black Pearl Porter(85)
|
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
|
|
