RyanWeary
Well-Known Member
Many months ago I brewed an 11 gallon batch of an Oktoberfest lager. I created two starters using the exact same yeast. The yeast were from the same lot as well. The only difference in the two starters was one was created on a stir plate and the other was shaken intermittently. The differences between these two beers are amazing. The beer that was fermented with the stir plate yeast came out extremely fusel-y. (If that's a word)
I can't figure out why. I have a fermentation chamber that is temperature controlled. A diacetyl rest wasn't needed and they were both lagered for roughly 3 months before kegging. Every aspect of this beer was treated the same in both fermentation vessels. The beer brewed with intermittent shaking turned out PERFECTLY. It was wonderfully malty, just slightly sweet, and an easy drinker. This one however is drinkable, but not NEARLY as good. I would have thought a larger yeast population would have benefited the beer, but it appears to have hindered it. The OG was 1.068. The FG of the stir plate beer was 1.012 and the FG of the "shaken yeast beer" was 1.016. Clearly more alcohol in the stir plate beer - but really so much more to make this much of a difference?
Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks!
I can't figure out why. I have a fermentation chamber that is temperature controlled. A diacetyl rest wasn't needed and they were both lagered for roughly 3 months before kegging. Every aspect of this beer was treated the same in both fermentation vessels. The beer brewed with intermittent shaking turned out PERFECTLY. It was wonderfully malty, just slightly sweet, and an easy drinker. This one however is drinkable, but not NEARLY as good. I would have thought a larger yeast population would have benefited the beer, but it appears to have hindered it. The OG was 1.068. The FG of the stir plate beer was 1.012 and the FG of the "shaken yeast beer" was 1.016. Clearly more alcohol in the stir plate beer - but really so much more to make this much of a difference?
Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks!