knelson
Well-Known Member
My first batch was the Extra Pale Ale extract kit from Northern Brewer
http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewi...ract-ale-kits/extra-pale-ale-extract-kit.html
I followed the kit instructions pretty much to a T, except for the fact that I did a fulll boil. I fermented in Primary for 2 weeks, racked to Secondary for 2 weeks and now it has been in the bottles for 2 weeks. After reading and re-reading numerous threads on this forum this seemed to be the consensus and made sense to me
So last night marked the 2 week mark in the bottles so I threw a bottle in the fridge for a few hours and then took it down to my local watering hole to share with a friend of mine who owns the joint. Here are my initial reactions...
1. It definately was not carbonated enough. It basically tasted like hoppy water. I currently have the bottles stored in my dining room under a blanket. Temp is around 68F. Should I move them to a warmer place to get better carbonation. I will try another bottle in a week.
2. I was much dryer and bitter than I had expected. The recipe called for Cascade hops so I imagined it would be a little more citrusy (sp?). Should I expect the bitterness to subside a tad in the next week(s)? There wasnt much of a malt character at all. Will the malt flavor come through more with more time in the bottles.
3. The color was great!
4. It tasted like beer, and although it wasn't perfect I made it and was proud to crack open my own brew for all to try.
Now I am kicking myself for not having another batch started already because I want to start building a pipeline with a few different styles. i think i heard my carboys crying last night because they were lonely.
Sorry this post is a little disorganized, i was just trying to throw some thoughts together.
http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewi...ract-ale-kits/extra-pale-ale-extract-kit.html
I followed the kit instructions pretty much to a T, except for the fact that I did a fulll boil. I fermented in Primary for 2 weeks, racked to Secondary for 2 weeks and now it has been in the bottles for 2 weeks. After reading and re-reading numerous threads on this forum this seemed to be the consensus and made sense to me
So last night marked the 2 week mark in the bottles so I threw a bottle in the fridge for a few hours and then took it down to my local watering hole to share with a friend of mine who owns the joint. Here are my initial reactions...
1. It definately was not carbonated enough. It basically tasted like hoppy water. I currently have the bottles stored in my dining room under a blanket. Temp is around 68F. Should I move them to a warmer place to get better carbonation. I will try another bottle in a week.
2. I was much dryer and bitter than I had expected. The recipe called for Cascade hops so I imagined it would be a little more citrusy (sp?). Should I expect the bitterness to subside a tad in the next week(s)? There wasnt much of a malt character at all. Will the malt flavor come through more with more time in the bottles.
3. The color was great!
4. It tasted like beer, and although it wasn't perfect I made it and was proud to crack open my own brew for all to try.
Now I am kicking myself for not having another batch started already because I want to start building a pipeline with a few different styles. i think i heard my carboys crying last night because they were lonely.
Sorry this post is a little disorganized, i was just trying to throw some thoughts together.