Better and better

Can't wait to start AG batches. They must be awesome!

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RM-MN said:

Most ales will ferment over a range of temperatures. However, they will throw off more undesirable (most times) flavors if they are fermented too warm. I've brewed at 72 degrees ambient and at 62 degrees ambient and guess what tastes better.QUOTE]

That's really just a blanket statement. It really depends on what you want out of your yeast. Sometimes I ferment high and sometimes I ferment low. It all depends on how well I know the yeast and what flavor profile I am going for.

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RM-MN said:

Not necessarily. All grain gives you much more control over the process and more choices for blending the grains for your taste but you also have waaaaay more chances to screw up a batch. If you like the idea of control, if you want to spend the time learning the process and the time it takes to do the mashing, all grain is fun but it won't necessarily always give you better beer.

Two things that can make better beer are temperature control during the fermentation and taking time to let the ferment complete before bottling or kegging.

Most ales will ferment over a range of temperatures. However, they will throw off more undesirable (most times) flavors if they are fermented too warm. I've brewed at 72 degrees ambient and at 62 degrees ambient and guess what tastes better. The fermentation process gives off heat too and even if your room is at 72, your beer might be 75 to 80 degrees in the bucket.

Many kits tell you to ferment for a week and then bottle. Want better beer? Be patient and let the yeast have more time to clean up the undesirable flavors. I've been giving mine 3 weeks and I probably should wait for 4 but the beer tastes better and takes less time to "bottle condition".

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davebrew66 said:

I let the BB kit ferment for two weeks, unlike the Coopers that sat for only a week. The Coopers tastes amazing now after bottle conditioning for 2 months and the BB kit tastes pretty darn good after being in the bottle for 4 weeks. I am interested to see how much faster the BB kit conditions with the extra week in the fermenter.

That all being said, 100 bottles of homebrew doesn't go very far, and I really need to start brewing another batch to keep the pipeline going!!

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Valcarde said:

Buy yourself another fermenter. Try to keep one thing brewing at all times. It will help greatly with setting up a pipeline!

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