Beers getting worse and worse...a ha...a thermometer reading 12 high

So my beers since I have been brewing 2 years ago have been getting a bit off and now I know why. My Brewers Edge therm is way way off.

This last 20 gallons I had to dump had so much astringency and tannic that it was undrinkable.

Thermapen? What's my next step. Otherwise I have a great setup and keg, but even my heartiest of brew drinkers said this stuff goes down the tub.

I love this hobby, and now know as I grow to a pump and plate chiller next week I want to make great beer.

~Diz

Thankfully you found the cause, there's nothing more frustrating than not knowing what's going wrong.

My thermometer is also off but not by 12°. Mines only 4° low. I'm undecided whether or not to replace it.

That sucks... but your next batch should be great now you have fixed the issue.

Diaperload said:

My thermometer is also off but not by 12°. Mines only 4° low. I'm undecided whether or not to replace it.

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If it is not a floating thermometer, but one with a dial or a digital display you can likely recalibrate it in either boiling water or ice water.

I usually keep 2 to 3 thermometers when brewing so as to confirm that the main one I'm using is accurate. While nice to have you don't need a thermapen if you are on a budget. I use this one http://www.amazon.com/CDN-DTQ450X-ProAccurate-Quick-Read-Thermometer/dp/B0021AEAG2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1314691278&sr=8-3from Amazon and get quick and accurate results.

pablo1337 said:

That sucks... but your next batch should be great now you have fixed the issue.

If it is not a floating thermometer, but one with a dial or a digital display you can likely recalibrate it in either boiling water or ice water.

Click to expand...

Really? How? I just found out my thermometer is 6 degree off. Was wondering why my beers are attenuating so high.

I had one of those Brewers Edge thermometers thermometers go bad on me as well. If I calibrated it at boiling, it was way off at freezing temp, and vice versa. Picked up one of the digital "lollipop" ones from Amazon, and it's been my best brewing investment in a while.