I took a gravity reading on my first brew (brewer's best Kolsch kit) last night after 19 days in primary -- 1.013, pretty much where it should be. I'll take another one tomorrow and if consistent I'm going to bottle. But when I tasted the sample, it had a bitter and somewhat sour flavor to it. I'm 99% certain my sanitation was fine, so I've pretty much ruled that out. I tried doing a full boil (no adjustment on hops, so maybe that accounts for some of the bitterness) but ended up with only ~4 gal of wort and didn't have any clean water to top off. Now, my temp controls aren't great, and I do know that the temps got up in the upper 70's for a couple of days earlier this week. I think that is probably the main culprit for the off flavors (which sucks since the same things happened to the IPA I have in my other fermentor right now). I have a swamp cooler setup -- without the water; basically, a plastic bin holding both fermenters, with ice bottles laying on the floor of the tub and some t-shirts laying over the top to create a "lid". I really want to get some foam board insulation to create a cap, and possibly add a few inches of water to it as well (even though I was trying to avoid having standing water in there).
But, even though I am disappointed, I'm not discouraged. I've decided to be Zen about the whole experience. In fact, I just ordered 3 more extract kits from AHS. I will not be deterred.
But, even though I am disappointed, I'm not discouraged. I've decided to be Zen about the whole experience. In fact, I just ordered 3 more extract kits from AHS. I will not be deterred.