theotherlebowski
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- Oct 19, 2014
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I started doing partial mashes and all grains brews this year. Probably done about 8 - 10 batches. Most have turned out great. Two of them though have a similar sour, astringent taste. Not totally undrinkable, but definitely an undesirable taste. Something that stays in your mouth for a long time. I have been experimenting a bit, so the mash temps have varied, but definitely well below 170. Technique is using a BIAB in a cooler. One of the affected batches was dunk sparged with 170 deg water, the other i just slowly poured a gallon of 170 deg water over the bag (I often do this). One was all grain, one was PM with a can of pilsner LME. I use tap water for the mash. I have no idea what's causing this. Two things that come up as sources of astringency are water ph, and high mash or sparge temps. I don't think its water because it's only happened with these two batches, and is not at all present in the others. I don't think it's mash temps either since I struggle to keep it between 150 and 155, and i suspect the cooler is warmer near the top of the mash which is largely where the thermometer sits. Racking my brain for what's common about these two batches. Only thing I can think of is both had Belgian Pilsner malt as the base. Anyone have thoughts about what might be causing this?