I am in the process of brewing The Number 8 (Belgian strong dark ale) kit from Northern Brewer. My fermentation has slowed down so I took a gravity reading. Afterwards I smelled and tasted the gravity sample.
To be honest, the taste and smell seem off to me. Although the flavor is not bad, it does not seem to fit the style. I immediately smelled banana and the taste reminded me of a hefeweizen but higher in alcohol.
I pitched a healthy starter, however fermentation temp has not been consistent and has ranged from 61 - 68 degrees. This is the temp in my cellar, I do not have a thermometer on the carboy. I know high temps can lead to the banana smell, but can low temps?
Does anybody here have any experience wit this kit or style? Is the banana/bubblegum smell a failure? Maybe I need to rdwhahb even if it is 8:30 am. I appreciate any input that you can provide.
Here is some extra info that may be useful.
wyeast - 1762
OG - .090
FG - .024 and still dropping
- 1.5 lbs CaraMunich malt
FERMENTABLES
- 6 lbs Pilsen malt syrup (60 min)
- 2 lbs Pilsen DME late addition (15 min)
- 2 lbs Brown Belgian Soft Candi Sugar late addition (0 min)
- 15 oz Corn Sugar late addition (0 min)
HOPS & FLAVORINGS
- 1 oz Tradition (60 min)
- 0.5 oz Hersbrucker (30 min)
- 0.5 oz Hersbrucker (5 min
To be honest, the taste and smell seem off to me. Although the flavor is not bad, it does not seem to fit the style. I immediately smelled banana and the taste reminded me of a hefeweizen but higher in alcohol.
I pitched a healthy starter, however fermentation temp has not been consistent and has ranged from 61 - 68 degrees. This is the temp in my cellar, I do not have a thermometer on the carboy. I know high temps can lead to the banana smell, but can low temps?
Does anybody here have any experience wit this kit or style? Is the banana/bubblegum smell a failure? Maybe I need to rdwhahb even if it is 8:30 am. I appreciate any input that you can provide.
Here is some extra info that may be useful.
wyeast - 1762
OG - .090
FG - .024 and still dropping
- 1.5 lbs CaraMunich malt
FERMENTABLES
- 6 lbs Pilsen malt syrup (60 min)
- 2 lbs Pilsen DME late addition (15 min)
- 2 lbs Brown Belgian Soft Candi Sugar late addition (0 min)
- 15 oz Corn Sugar late addition (0 min)
HOPS & FLAVORINGS
- 1 oz Tradition (60 min)
- 0.5 oz Hersbrucker (30 min)
- 0.5 oz Hersbrucker (5 min