Same funky smell to my extract batches - Page 2

**ValleyBrew** · 01-18-2012, 04:23 AM

You seem to be on top of things based on your posts, but you are controlling the light exposure to the fermentor? That could definitely cause some odors...

StophJS · 01-18-2012, 12:01 PM

Maybe not as well as I could, but I was under the impression it doesn't really matter in bucket fermenters.

**unionrdr** · 01-18-2012, 12:26 PM

I have a BB ale pale & a cooper's micro brew fermenter. I cover them both with dark tee shirts at least,depending on temps. Light gets in to one degree or other,so better safe than sorry.

**Stauffbier** · 01-18-2012, 02:01 PM

I just started covering my bucket fermentors on the last 3 batches. I use a cardboard box that they arrived in. Although, if it's light causing the problem I would think the off flavors would just be a "skunked" flavor which is pretty obvious when present. I have a stout that tastes a little "hot" in spite of the fact that it was fermented mid 60's. I also have a creme ale that has a stale aftertaste, but I'm not sure why. All of my extract batches seem to have a similar "lacking" quality to them, but they don't taste bad (except for the above mentioned stout).. I'm currently drinking the first AG batch I had ever made and it tastes wonderful! I have 2 other AG batches in primaries, and I'm looking forward to seeing if their quality is also better...

malkore · 01-18-2012, 04:14 PM

read this page, especially the 'grassy' section
How to Brew - By John Palmer - Common Off-Flavors

could indeed be poorly stored ingredients (at the LHBS, warehouse, etc)

Oxidation wouldn't be tasted early but would gradually get more 'stale' tasting, especially if the beer is stored warmer/at cellar temps vs. serving temps/in a kegerator.

On the bottling wand, I attach mine to the bucket with only 2" of tubing, so its the wand coming directly off the spigot basically. that kills all the pressure from a 3 foot drop to the floor so the bottle doesn't fill so rapidly that it tries to foam from the CO2 trapped in solution during fermentation.

**Stauffbier** · 01-18-2012, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malkore

could indeed be poorly stored ingredients (at the LHBS, warehouse, etc)

.

I sometimes suspect this, but I more suspect the possibility of bad shipping practices. Who knows how things are stored or how hot they might get once they get into the hands of shipping companies. When I order from Midwest it has to come half way across the country over the coarse of 5 days or so, so who knows. I can't imagine it's being kept in a very forgiving climate while in the back of a hot tractor trailer. I learned this the hard way with liquid yeast. I always have to opt for "cold shipping" now..

StophJS · 01-19-2012, 02:00 PM

[QUOTE=malkore;3678794]read this page, especially the 'grassy' section
How to Brew - By John Palmer - Common Off-Flavors

Maybe I have just been getting unlucky with my LME. I'm going to fix my bottling situation, and see how this stout with only DME turns out. Should be bottling it on Friday.

**unionrdr** · 01-19-2012, 02:29 PM

Here's another thought that might help. It all started with my newly emptied HB bottles. Carbonation was coming out a bit lower,& slightly uneven from bottle to bottle,no matter how well the priming solution got mixed in the bottling bucket.
So I then suspected that just rinsing & drying them on the bottle tree to be insuficient. So I started by the usual dreg rinse,then put them in a bucket of PBW for 2 hours. Then bottle brush each one,then rinse in the sink. Then onto the bottle tree to dry before storing in covered boxes. I thought that might well eliminate anything in the bottles effecting carbonation or flavor.

fivepoundpossum · 01-20-2012, 01:33 AM

i think i know what you're talking about. for the longest time i had extract batches that didn't taste quite right. finally figured out that if i let sit in the fermenter for a bit longer (four weeks instead of two) and then in the bottles for three weeks on top of that my off taste disappeared. haven't had the same problem since. good luck sorting it out!

StophJS · 01-26-2012, 07:40 PM

Just bottled up a milk stout that used only DME and that musty smell is nowhere to be found. I think I was getting stale LME.