Dark clumps in my magic hat #9 clone

[mitchwfsu]

I've had a magic hat #9 clone bottle conditioning for about a week now. Used beersmith to carb to 2.4 vols. today I noticed dark clumps when I agitated a bottle. Could be hop matter and trub but looks funny. Any thoughts?

PS new home brewer, first post, thanks for all the help! Mitch

 

[mrphillips]

Looks like regular ol' sediment to me. It might just look black because it's too opaque for the light to get through (oh, and make sure that light doesn't use a UV bulb. I recently heard a horror story about a guy who kept his carboy in the same room as his wife's tanning bed - YIKES!). Do you use a secondary, or primary only? What were your adjuncts?

AND...most important of all...does it affect the taste?

 

[mitchwfsu]

Oh thanks I hope it's just normal sediment. No adjuncts. Just maris, crystal 20, cascade and Columbus. Added the apricot into the bottling bucket. I don't know. It's only my 2nd brew and I was planning on tasting next weekend after 2 week conditioning. Same with a wheat beer shock top clone that's been conditioning the same amount of time. The wheat beer looks cloudy like a wheat should. Mitch.

 

[mitchwfsu]

Oh yeah the liquid apricot would be an adjunct right?

 

[mrphillips]

Anything besides Holy Four - Water, Malts, Hops, and Yeast - is an adjunct. I'm not sure how apricot would act when added to the secondary (which is when I would have added it), so that could be the issue, but I don't think so.

Did you lay your bottles down on their side when conditioning them? If you left them standing upright while conditioning, then I doubt those dark spots are sediment. The most likely suspect might simply be a dirty bottle. If this is the case, it all comes down to taste. If it was a dirty bottle, it will come through in the taste. I would crack one of those bad-boys open right now and give it a try. Truth be told, I have yet to allow my beer to fully condition. Self control? Overrated.

 

[afr0byte]

Oh thanks I hope it's just normal sediment. No adjuncts. Just maris, crystal 20, cascade and Columbus. Added the apricot into the bottling bucket. I don't know. It's only my 2nd brew and I was planning on tasting next weekend after 2 week conditioning. Same with a wheat beer shock top clone that's been conditioning the same amount of time. The wheat beer looks cloudy like a wheat should. Mitch.

Just an fyi...Magic Hat uses (or used to use) crystal 80: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f12/can-you-brew-recipe-magic-hat-number-9-a-175571/

 

[mitchwfsu]

Did you lay your bottles down on their side when conditioning them?

Yes actually some were on their side. I crammed them all in a large cooler so to contain a bottle bomb if one happened. First time brewing and bottling so I just wasn't sure what to expect.

I would crack one of those bad-boys open right now and give it a try. Truth be told, I have yet to allow my beer to fully condition. Self control? Overrated.

I'll throw some in the fridge tonight and taste tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[mitchwfsu]

Just an fyi...Magic Hat uses (or used to use) crystal 80: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f12/can-you-brew-recipe-magic-hat-number-9-a-175571/

Oops, oh well. That's the same post i used to make the recipe, must have misread 80 for 20 on the crystal.

 

[mrphillips]

Can't wait to hear how she turned out! Magic Hat isn't my favorite beer, but I have friends who worship it. If it's tasty, post the recipe so I can brew it!

 

[mitchwfsu]

I'm not a #9 fan either but my brother in law and friends are so i really made it for others. Put one in the fridge yesterday and opened it tonight. About 1/3 slowly foamed out, not a gusher though, but not preferable lol. Tasted similar to #9 but probably needs some more bottle time from what I've read.

Oh and my wheat beer, I forgot to grind the coriander. Ill let you know how that turns out.

 

[mrphillips]

I over-carbonated my 1st batch also. Opening it and letting it sit in the fridge for 10-15 minutes, and it'll be fine.

I'd imagine that for it to be a true Magic Hat clone, I'd imagine it would take a month of conditioning in the bottle so that the flavors can mellow. I just tried a Witbier I bottled 2 1/2 weeks ago, and the coriander flavor - which I didn't really care for - is finally starting to mellow out. Set aside a 12'er of it, and try it in 3 weeks. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised Again, this requires self-control, so good luck.

 

[mitchwfsu]

I don't mind letting it sit for another few weeks. I also have a wheat or wit beer (shock top clone) bottled for 2 weeks and a couple session IPAs for about a week. Ill try the wheat this weekend.