GHBWNY
Well-Known Member
Recently brewed a Cal. Common from an extract kit. Because the instructions were so vague re: ferm temp, conditioning time/temp, I asked on here and then did the following: after FG, cold-crashed/cleared for 5 days in fridge, bottled, then let condition at around 65-68F for 3 weeks. Someone recommended that at the end of 3 weeks, put it in the fridge for a week, so that's where it went last night.
Meanwhile, before sticking it in the fridge, I couldn't resist popping one for a taste. Well-carbed, pronounced floral/citrus aroma; great color, mouth-feel, head and retention. But that's about where the positives end. The best I can say for the taste at this point is that it was 'tolerable', but maybe a little "green-ish"? And quite bitter on the south end of the palate, which surprised me since this is the kit where, because of an availability issue, the company substituted Cascade hops for the traditional Northern Brewer (of course, I didn't know this until I got the kit home and open and the brew pot already started). Since Cascade is roughly half the AAs of NB and more of an aroma hop, the bitterness is surprising.
So, any chance a week in the fridge might mellow it out a little? Or should I take it out and keep it at room temp? Or is it too late? I was looking forward to having some at our Father's Day gathering next week, but not the way it is now. Obviously, I'll have to try another at the end of next week.
Meanwhile, before sticking it in the fridge, I couldn't resist popping one for a taste. Well-carbed, pronounced floral/citrus aroma; great color, mouth-feel, head and retention. But that's about where the positives end. The best I can say for the taste at this point is that it was 'tolerable', but maybe a little "green-ish"? And quite bitter on the south end of the palate, which surprised me since this is the kit where, because of an availability issue, the company substituted Cascade hops for the traditional Northern Brewer (of course, I didn't know this until I got the kit home and open and the brew pot already started). Since Cascade is roughly half the AAs of NB and more of an aroma hop, the bitterness is surprising.
So, any chance a week in the fridge might mellow it out a little? Or should I take it out and keep it at room temp? Or is it too late? I was looking forward to having some at our Father's Day gathering next week, but not the way it is now. Obviously, I'll have to try another at the end of next week.