Hi all! Been reading these forums for a year and using the advice through my first three brews, so thank you! My third brew is currently sitting in my carboy becoming my first drinkable beer (hopefully!). My palate has not become sophisticated enough to get into anything higher than the mid 20s for IBUs so I have attempted only wheat beers. The first was a Paulaner clone, second was a supposed simple hefe, and this current one is an American Wheat of no specific name.
With my previous two brews, both fermented as expected; but when all was said and done, they were very bitter and undrinkable. I did not use more than an ounce of hops each time so from my very limited knowledge I don't believe I used enough hops to bitter it that severely. The other noticeable trait that is a little concerning, which is the case with all three brews, is the color of my beer. Each time my brew has turned out significantly darker then expected. They could easily be mistaken for an amber. I decided on this third brew to do a half and half, wheat and light LME, hoping that the color would come out better, but alas, this is not the case. I guess I should mention with my first brew it was a combination of LME, DME and partial mash (I had help) and the second was all Wheat LME.
So to recap, my questions are concerned with why my brew might be coming out so bitter? And what am I to make of the color of my brew? I mentioned the color only because it may or may not be related to the taste, and the fact that every hefe or wheat I have had in my life has been multiple shades lighter and brighter then what I am producing.
Thank you in advance for any responses to my questions! And thank you for letting me join your community!
With my previous two brews, both fermented as expected; but when all was said and done, they were very bitter and undrinkable. I did not use more than an ounce of hops each time so from my very limited knowledge I don't believe I used enough hops to bitter it that severely. The other noticeable trait that is a little concerning, which is the case with all three brews, is the color of my beer. Each time my brew has turned out significantly darker then expected. They could easily be mistaken for an amber. I decided on this third brew to do a half and half, wheat and light LME, hoping that the color would come out better, but alas, this is not the case. I guess I should mention with my first brew it was a combination of LME, DME and partial mash (I had help) and the second was all Wheat LME.
So to recap, my questions are concerned with why my brew might be coming out so bitter? And what am I to make of the color of my brew? I mentioned the color only because it may or may not be related to the taste, and the fact that every hefe or wheat I have had in my life has been multiple shades lighter and brighter then what I am producing.
Thank you in advance for any responses to my questions! And thank you for letting me join your community!