I'd like to consider myself at least not a newby anymore as I have brewed about 21 batches, but I am still having a little problem. Many batches (maybe 1/4 to 1/3) seem to have an "off" taste, usually toward the fruity or sour side. Now for background:
I buy recipes from a good homebrew store in Charlotte, NC. Each includes the dried malt extract, specialty malts, hops, and recommended yeast (sometimes I use dry, sometimes liquid, but always the recommended). I have done a primary and secondary fermentation on all. I figured wild yeast/bacteria infection might be the problem, but I have been about as sanitary as I am capable of. I use plastic pails (5-6 gal) and one glass carboy that I rotate. I have made pilsners, bitters, stout, scotch ale, wheat beer, pale ales, etc. The one that always comes out good is Old Peculiar, a British singular with molasses. It has always been good. On the other hand, my favorite beer IPAs, always seem off.
Any and all comments will be appreciated and I can add detail as needed. BTW, I never thow any beer out and it seems they do get drinkable with time although maybe I am just increasingly desperate (and my college age son and his friends even enjoyed the one my wife dubbed "The Swill"). Thanks.
I buy recipes from a good homebrew store in Charlotte, NC. Each includes the dried malt extract, specialty malts, hops, and recommended yeast (sometimes I use dry, sometimes liquid, but always the recommended). I have done a primary and secondary fermentation on all. I figured wild yeast/bacteria infection might be the problem, but I have been about as sanitary as I am capable of. I use plastic pails (5-6 gal) and one glass carboy that I rotate. I have made pilsners, bitters, stout, scotch ale, wheat beer, pale ales, etc. The one that always comes out good is Old Peculiar, a British singular with molasses. It has always been good. On the other hand, my favorite beer IPAs, always seem off.
Any and all comments will be appreciated and I can add detail as needed. BTW, I never thow any beer out and it seems they do get drinkable with time although maybe I am just increasingly desperate (and my college age son and his friends even enjoyed the one my wife dubbed "The Swill"). Thanks.