phidelt844
Well-Known Member
I made my first extract beer (called 'American Light') about 10 weeks ago. It was from my LHBS and in a can, so I'm guessing the extract was older. I followed the instructions in the kit, so I only boiled 30 mins.
Second kit I ordered from a reputable vendor online. Nut brown ale, LME in a bag with steeping grains. I did not do any late extract addition, and boiled 60 minutes.
These were both partial boils using my tap water, which I'm thinking may be a bit hard. Fermentation got up a bit, to ~70-72. I was using Safale 05 and 04, I believe. Left in primary 4 weeks each. First brew's been in the bottle for ~7 weeks, second for ~3 weeks.
I've done some searching on aftertaste and my ideas of what is causing it in my beers, but haven't come up with anything concrete.
Now, as for the off flavor... on my initial sip, the beer tastes fantastic in both cases. However, AFTER I swallow, I get a kind of 'hot' plasticy flavor and almost makes me want to smack my tongue. I called my LHBS and asked about water, to which he replies that my area's water can fluctuate throughout the year, but he recommends an in-line filter (which I will be trying next time). Regardless, he said that bad water would cause a band-aid type flavor (which I've read here as well), but that it would be up front on the palette, not after swallowing. I also thought it could be high fermentation temps, but again, I would assume that would affect the entire flavor profile. My third guess is extract twang, but seeing as my first batch was only a 30 minute boil, I'm not sure on that either...
So in summary:
I have a similar aftertaste in both my beers, even though they are completely different styles.
I'm thinking one of the following:
poor water
extract twang
high fermentation temps
Anyone have any ideas on this? I've got two PM brews fermenting as we speak (lowered fermentation temps and did late extract additions), but it will be awhile until I can test them out. I think I'm going to run a brew down to my LHBS this coming weekend for his input, but I'm really working to convince myself I didn't ruin my next two beers, too! This post is getting too long.. but what would cause a similar off flavor after actually swallowing the beer? Thanks!
Second kit I ordered from a reputable vendor online. Nut brown ale, LME in a bag with steeping grains. I did not do any late extract addition, and boiled 60 minutes.
These were both partial boils using my tap water, which I'm thinking may be a bit hard. Fermentation got up a bit, to ~70-72. I was using Safale 05 and 04, I believe. Left in primary 4 weeks each. First brew's been in the bottle for ~7 weeks, second for ~3 weeks.
I've done some searching on aftertaste and my ideas of what is causing it in my beers, but haven't come up with anything concrete.
Now, as for the off flavor... on my initial sip, the beer tastes fantastic in both cases. However, AFTER I swallow, I get a kind of 'hot' plasticy flavor and almost makes me want to smack my tongue. I called my LHBS and asked about water, to which he replies that my area's water can fluctuate throughout the year, but he recommends an in-line filter (which I will be trying next time). Regardless, he said that bad water would cause a band-aid type flavor (which I've read here as well), but that it would be up front on the palette, not after swallowing. I also thought it could be high fermentation temps, but again, I would assume that would affect the entire flavor profile. My third guess is extract twang, but seeing as my first batch was only a 30 minute boil, I'm not sure on that either...
So in summary:
I have a similar aftertaste in both my beers, even though they are completely different styles.
I'm thinking one of the following:
poor water
extract twang
high fermentation temps
Anyone have any ideas on this? I've got two PM brews fermenting as we speak (lowered fermentation temps and did late extract additions), but it will be awhile until I can test them out. I think I'm going to run a brew down to my LHBS this coming weekend for his input, but I'm really working to convince myself I didn't ruin my next two beers, too! This post is getting too long.. but what would cause a similar off flavor after actually swallowing the beer? Thanks!