2 Batches Ended Up Much Different

[Fienix]

I brewed two extract kit Kolsch beers on the same day, one right after the other. Following the exact same process with both beers, same yeast, same fermentation temperature and length, gravity readings nearly identical. When I kegged the two beers, one is light and tastes great (like it should) and the other one is darker, doesn't really have much flavor (kind of tastes like the keg lines haven't been cleaned, but they have). I was thorough with my sanitation, doing the exact same thing with both batches. I'm almost certain I didn't scorch any extract as there is no carmel taste.

Any ideas on what might have cause this? Unfortunately I didn't taste before I kegged, so could this be a problem with my keg? I switched lines out with a known good set of lines and tap, and it tastes the same.

Here is a pic (the good one is on the left):

Any insight is appreciated. This is really frustrating.

 

[skunkfunk]

I'd bet the kits were not the same age. Fresher ingredients in one.

 

[Fienix]

I'd bet the kits were not the same age. Fresher ingredients in one.

Is that a common thing? I've had other extract batches have similar taste, I just chalked it up to something I did wrong in my process. But I've made this one several times and its always come out great prior to this.

Might have to switch to all grain...

 

[skunkfunk]

Is that a common thing? I've had other extract batches have similar taste, I just chalked it up to something I did wrong in my process. But I've made this one several times and its always come out great prior to this.

Might have to switch to all grain...

Probably the most compelling reason to switch. You really can't know how that extract was stored and for how long, can you?

 

[ArkotRamathorn]

Probably the most compelling reason to switch. You really can't know how that extract was stored and for how long, can you?

Yes, and no.

Yes because all grain ingredients are cheaper (the equipment sort of off sets that savings for awhile). Extract is a good way to learn and I still jump back to doing extract batches for fun or testing a combination of certain ingredients. I wish I had stuck with extract longer to work out kinks since I basically jumped straight into all grain and formulating my own recipes.

No because if you purchase from the same place that you know has a high turn around on their extract so theres almost always very fresh extract then you have no fear of old ingredients.