anyone had AHS Bavarian Hefewiezen?

[TheWeeb]

Though I read the thread rather quickly, did not see you describe the flavors, only that it "tasted horrible." I am likewise struggling with a hefe brewed with the Danstar dry yeast; it has really bad plastic flavor that makes it undrinkable. It was very slow to start - four days - and then fermentation was extremely slow (3 weeks) and even while fermenting, smelled of plastic and cleaning fluid. Two other times I have had very good hefes using White Labs liquid; this was the first time using Danstar munich dry and, coincidentally, 100% tap water. Anyway, I am interested in what yours tastes like, if we perhaps have the same off flavors and maybe can point to a problem with the yeast.

 

[rodneypierce]

Though I read the thread rather quickly, did not see you describe the flavors, only that it "tasted horrible." I am likewise struggling with a hefe brewed with the Danstar dry yeast; it has really bad plastic flavor that makes it undrinkable. It was very slow to start - four days - and then fermentation was extremely slow (3 weeks) and even while fermenting, smelled of plastic and cleaning fluid. Two other times I have had very good hefes using White Labs liquid; this was the first time using Danstar munich dry and, coincidentally, 100% tap water. Anyway, I am interested in what yours tastes like, if we perhaps have the same off flavors and maybe can point to a problem with the yeast.

YES!! Thats pretty much the taste and smell I also have. Ever smelled the inside of a Mr. Beer keg?? Thats pretty much exactly the smell, and what I would imagine that smell to taste like!! I also used 100% tap water.

 

[TheWeeb]

I wished I had saved the yeast packet now, to get the lot number off of it. . .

 

[maida7]

Though I read the thread rather quickly, did not see you describe the flavors, only that it "tasted horrible." I am likewise struggling with a hefe brewed with the Danstar dry yeast; it has really bad plastic flavor that makes it undrinkable. It was very slow to start - four days - and then fermentation was extremely slow (3 weeks) and even while fermenting, smelled of plastic and cleaning fluid. Two other times I have had very good hefes using White Labs liquid; this was the first time using Danstar munich dry and, coincidentally, 100% tap water. Anyway, I am interested in what yours tastes like, if we perhaps have the same off flavors and maybe can point to a problem with the yeast.

Plastic and medicinal are phenolic flavors. Phenols are natural products of the yeast. Some strains make more phenols then others. German wheat yeast is well know for producing lotsa phenols. Typically, it's a clove like flavor but If you have chlorine in your water or are using a chlorine type sanitizer (like bleach or c-brite) then the chlorine can bond with the phenols to produce chlorophenols. These chlorophenols are really nasty tasting like rubber, or medicine (like Chloraseptic throat spray). Perhaps that's your problem. Most brewers avoid chlorine and/or take extra steps to remove it from their brewing water.

 

[Austinhomebrew]

The last kit I did was a different AHS weisse kit. I followed the directions exactly (all grain) and it came out completely watery with a piss poor taste. Really, really disappointing.

Then again, poor quality and AHS seem to go together more and more these days.

Did you contact the store or just post on someone elses forum? I am sure that if you contacted them and let them know they would make it right. I hear that their customer service is awesome.

Forrest

 

[Austinhomebrew]

Did you use bleach, star san, or Iodine to sanitize with?

If you are really unhappy I can make it right but I have to get to the bottom of the problem.

Most of the off flavors we encounter are star san, bleach, or iodophor issues. Boiling will remove the trace of chlorine in the water. It is usually sanitizer not rinsed well enough or mixed to strong or both. Let me know, it really shouldn't taste bad.

If it is a banana, clove or bubble gum taste it is supposed to be there.

Forrest

Forrest

 

[maida7]

AHS is one of the top shops in the country. I've been dealing with them for several years and they have excellent products and service.

 

[rodneypierce]

Forrest, its not bannana, clove or bubble gum flavors. I have had my fair share of Hefe's, and this doesnt taste like anything. I followed your guys directions to a T. I used iodophor to sanitize, at a ratio of 1 table spoon for 5 gallons of water. This should yield a 12.5ppm solution.

Im not entirely blaming your kit, it could by far be the yeast. Or it could of been me also. But i can say im very thorough at cleaning and sanitizing. And you guys didnt do anything wrong. I wasnt planning this thread to turn into a bash AHS thread, as that isnt what i wanted. We have PM'ed back and fourth numberous times.

 

[jackers252]

A couple of things, what type of water did you use, and how long have you allowed it to ferment?

If I use my tap water, my beer comes out HORRIBLE with those same types of harsh medical plastic tastes mentioned above. Now I use the 5 gallon jugs from Lowes for all of my brewing.

 

[rodneypierce]

read through the thread, and most of the questions were answered. I fermented for 3 weeks.

 

[TheWeeb]

Austin Homebrew, though I did not buy the kit or ingredients from you, I am interested in your comment on StarSan, as that is what I use. I have always been under the understanding that it is no-rinse, and causes no off flavors. Can you further explain?

Thanks -

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

Did you use bleach, star san, or Iodine to sanitize with?

If you are really unhappy I can make it right but I have to get to the bottom of the problem.

Most of the off flavors we encounter are star san, bleach, or iodophor issues. Boiling will remove the trace of chlorine in the water. It is usually sanitizer not rinsed well enough or mixed to strong or both. Let me know, it really shouldn't taste bad.

If it is a banana, clove or bubble gum taste it is supposed to be there.

Forrest

Forrest

Star San?

Forrest, I have never heard of Star San causing flavor issues. The amount used, pretty much just foam, is minuscule.

 

[rodneypierce]

Star San?

Forrest, I have never heard of Star San causing flavor issues. The amount used, pretty much just foam, is minuscule.

From what I have read, Iodophor and Star San are both no rinse sanitizers WHEN USED IN THE PROPER DILUTION RATIO. Most people use WAY too much of the sanitizer, and then try not to rinse and end up with off flavors. Thats what I have gathered from my research.

 

[Austinhomebrew]

From what I have read, Iodophor and Star San are both no rinse sanitizers WHEN USED IN THE PROPER DILUTION RATIO. Most people use WAY too much of the sanitizer, and then try not to rinse and end up with off flavors. Thats what I have gathered from my research.

What he said. If under diluted and not rinsed you get the medicinal / band aid flavor.

Forrest

 

[ReverseApacheMaster]

Did you contact the store or just post on someone elses forum? I am sure that if you contacted them and let them know they would make it right. I hear that their customer service is awesome.

Forrest

No, after having two orders back to back incorrectly filled and having to make multiple trips into the store on both orders to get the rest of the ingredients or to swap out wrong ingredients I gave up. I still ended up finding out I was missing stuff from the order. I placed a separate order with Brewmasters Warehouse just to get the stuff I had already paid your store for.

I would call the customer service somewhere between piss poor and embarassing. Obviously nobody checked the orders when they were filled. Those orders were months apart so it's not like somebody just had an off day. That's a sign of a consistent quality problem. And EVERY time I went back to explain a problem with the order I either got total indifference or an excuse that whoever I was talking to didn't fill the order so it wasn't their fault. One time I even had to argue whether what I ordered was what I needed instead of what they gave me. I'm pretty sure I know what I put in my own recipes.

I guess when I realized I was still short on stuff or that the kit seemed to be off (I am suspect that there was any wheat malt in the Live Oak Hefe kit I received because it doesn't taste like it was compiled correctly) I should drive four hours back to Austin or call the store to hear excuses? I'd rather not deal with your "awesome" customer service just to hear excuses.

 

[Runyanka]

I brewed this kit as well, except I went with the liquid yeast upgrade, white labs I believe. And fermented it at the lower range, at 62, came out great. Even at that low of a temp, I still got some nice banana and clove notes. The best hefe I have brewed to date was Jamils from "brewing classic styles".

 

[rodneypierce]

well, sad night in the Pierce household tonight. Dumped my first batch of beer. Man that suck'd. Anyhow, this AHS brew is gone, and honestly, I likely wont try it again......

 

[Austinhomebrew]

PM me your name and address and I will hook you up.

Forrest

P.S. I was born and raised in Iowa City. My wife grew up in Marion.

 

[rodneypierce]

PM me your name and address and I will hook you up.

Forrest

P.S. I was born and raised in Iowa City. My wife grew up in Marion.

Its not necessary, but PM sent anyhow.

 

[maxamuus]

Take Forrest up on his offer. Go with a liquid yeast this time (be sure to make a starter) and use bottled water and let us know how it turns out.

 

[NavySur4]

This is the second time I've seen Forrest offer to hook someone up on HBT - and the main reason I started ordering from AHS. That is quality customer service. I just brewed the double chocolate stout and it is amazing!

 

[doctorRobert]

Just don't use distilled water. Also id skip a starter. Not entirely necessary for hefe of this size. There are probably other areas you should focus on besides yeast starters now.

 

[jackers252]

This is the second time I've seen Forrest offer to hook someone up on HBT - and the main reason I started ordering from AHS. That is quality customer service. I just brewed the double chocolate stout and it is amazing!

I am drinking their double chocolate stouts off of nitrogen right now! What a great beer.

I agree, Forrest makes things right. I love his kits and as many orders as I have placed through them, I haven't had a bad one yet.

Hopefully things work out and you give AHS an extra shot.

 

[rodneypierce]

Oh, I fully plan on using AHS's products, just didnt plan on this particular beer from them. I plan on buying there double chocolate stout kit, and there oatmeal stout kit. Those are 2 beers that I just cant seem to ever pass up when I see them.

 

[Austinhomebrew]

No, after having two orders back to back incorrectly filled and having to make multiple trips into the store on both orders to get the rest of the ingredients or to swap out wrong ingredients I gave up. I still ended up finding out I was missing stuff from the order. I placed a separate order with Brewmasters Warehouse just to get the stuff I had already paid your store for.

I would call the customer service somewhere between piss poor and embarassing. Obviously nobody checked the orders when they were filled. Those orders were months apart so it's not like somebody just had an off day. That's a sign of a consistent quality problem. And EVERY time I went back to explain a problem with the order I either got total indifference or an excuse that whoever I was talking to didn't fill the order so it wasn't their fault. One time I even had to argue whether what I ordered was what I needed instead of what they gave me. I'm pretty sure I know what I put in my own recipes.

I guess when I realized I was still short on stuff or that the kit seemed to be off (I am suspect that there was any wheat malt in the Live Oak Hefe kit I received because it doesn't taste like it was compiled correctly) I should drive four hours back to Austin or call the store to hear excuses? I'd rather not deal with your "awesome" customer service just to hear excuses.

You are right. A lot has changed since the problems you had. I have fired a couple people and I have completely removed the customer service guy that was there. He is forbidden to answer the phone or write an email.

If anyone is not happy with the service Austin Homebrew provides send us an email: [email protected]. If you are not happy with the resolution you can call or email me directly @ [email protected]
I want to make it right. Contact me before going to a forum and expressing displeasure. I can fix a problem if I know about it.

ReverseApacheMaster: Sorry for the problems you have had. PM me your name and email address and I will hook you up with a $100 gift certificate for your troubles.

Forrest

 

[Austinhomebrew]

This is the second time I've seen Forrest offer to hook someone up on HBT - and the main reason I started ordering from AHS. That is quality customer service. I just brewed the double chocolate stout and it is amazing!

Thanks. That is my personal recipe. Glad you like it.

Forrest

 

[rodneypierce]

Forrest has stepped up to the plate and hit a home run. He didnt have to do anything, because, it could have simply been written off due to my brewing, or a newb mistake. But instead he goes out of his way to try and make sure a new brewer like myself prevails. Thanks Forrest for the help. You guys will be seeing more orders from me.

 

[jackers252]

Home Run Forrest. I have seen you step up to the plate numerous times on here now and each time you hit it out of the park.

It's days like this that I feel great about all the money I have spent at AHS.

 

[kpr121]

Home Run Forrest. I have seen you step up to the plate numerous times on here now and each time you hit it out of the park.

It's days like this that I feel great about all the money I have spent at AHS.

Agreed +10000

 

[D_Struct]

Home Run Forrest. I have seen you step up to the plate numerous times on here now and each time you hit it out of the park.

It's days like this that I feel great about all the money I have spent at AHS.

I couldn't agree more!