When I first tried homebrewing about 12 years ago I started with a couple of those canned pre-hopped kits with the little yeast pack on top. Even to my uneducated palate something tasted wrong with those beers. There was a sharp harsh unpleasant taste that is characteristic of that type of kit. I soon quit homebrewing for 10+ years.
Since I started brewing again, doing things the right way this time, I have never had a beer with those off flavors. But recently I tried some beers that someone else brewed with the canned kits, and the memories came rushing back. Each had that same taste to it, regardless of brand or style.
So, my question is: what makes that distinctive canned kit taste? Is it the lack of freshness in the ingredients? Or perhaps the pre-hopping?
Since I started brewing again, doing things the right way this time, I have never had a beer with those off flavors. But recently I tried some beers that someone else brewed with the canned kits, and the memories came rushing back. Each had that same taste to it, regardless of brand or style.
So, my question is: what makes that distinctive canned kit taste? Is it the lack of freshness in the ingredients? Or perhaps the pre-hopping?