Beer Going Bad

[allaboutduncan]

I fear my third batch is going bad. I brewed the recipe below.

[size=+2]Recipe: Indian Brown Ale[/size]
TYPE: Extract

Recipe Specifications

Batch Size: 4.00 gal
Boil Size: 3.00 gal
Estimated OG: 1.076 SG
Estimated Color: 23.5 SRM
Estimated IBU: 44.9 IBU
Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Ingredients:

Amount        Item                                      Type         % or IBU      
5.60 lb       Light Dry Extract (8.0 SRM)               Dry Extract  67.15 %       
0.80 lb       Extra Light Dry Extract (3.0 SRM)         Dry Extract  9.59 %        
0.54 lb       Caraamber (30.0 SRM)                      Grain        6.47 %        
0.50 lb       Caramel/Crystal Malt - 60L (60.0 SRM)     Grain        6.00 %        
0.40 lb       Chocolate Malt (197.7 SRM)                Grain        4.80 %        
0.10 lb       Roasted Barley (300.0 SRM)                Grain        1.20 %        
0.40 lb       Brown Sugar, Dark (50.0 SRM)              Sugar        4.80 %     
0.60 oz       Warrior [15.00 %]  (60 min)               Hops         24.3 IBU      
1.00 oz       Liberty [4.30 %]  (10 min)                Hops         4.2 IBU       
1.00 oz       Vanguard [5.50 %]  (1 min)                Hops         0.6 IBU       
0.20 oz       Goldings, East Kent [5.00 %]  (Dry Hop 7 days) Hops          
0.20 oz       Liberty [4.30 %]  (Dry Hop 7 days)        Hops          -    
1 Pkgs        Ringwood Ale (Wyeast Labs #1187)      Yeast-Ale

I hit my OG of 1.076 and my FG of 1.021. I let it ferment in primary for 24 days and transferred to secondary for dry hopping for 9 days. Fermentation temp was average of 68.

Bottled with 3ozs of Corn Sugar. Bottles sat for 2 weeks with temp between 50-70.

Everything was StarSanned at boil and bottle time.

The first two bottles I had were really good. Not as much hop aroma as I expected, but it had a good malty taste with a slight hoppy finish and with a 7.2% ABV, I didn't taste any fusel alcohol like I did on my first batch (which had a higher ABV). All in all, I thought it turned out great and I was really enjoying it.

However, I've had 3 more over the past four days and they have all had a hot taste to them. Plus, opening the top, they slowly start to foam. I know I didn't over-carb the batch. These 3 were in reused bottles (Guinness and Sam Adams). The first two may have been in new bottles--not sure.

Guess I'll try another one in a new bottle tonight. If it's fine, I guess it's bad bottle washing leading to infection.

Any other ideas? Is it infection causing this or something else. I know hot, fusel tastes can mellow with age, but what does it mean when they appear while aging?

 

[ayoungrad]

What water did you use?

You say an average temp of 68 but what was the maximum temperature? I take it you fermented at ambient temperatures?

 

[ayoungrad]

Either way you may not know if its a "final" taste until you let it sit for at least 3 weeks in the bottle at 70 (not 50-70).

 

[joetothemo]

Are you chilling these down for a few days before opening?

Regardless. That is a fairly big beer in ABV, flavor, and body. It may take longer to mellow in the bottle than you have patience.

 

[allaboutduncan]

What water did you use?

You say an average temp of 68 but what was the maximum temperature? I take it you fermented at ambient temperatures?

Bottled drinking water. Temp was 68-70 constant. Fermented during Feb/March and we keep the house at 69. Temp in closet is constant 68.

They sat two weeks in bottle at 68. Moved the case to the garage after that, and the temp has fluctuated from 55-70.

Are you chilling these down for a few days before opening?

Regardless. That is a fairly big beer in ABV, flavor, and body. It may take longer to mellow in the bottle than you have patience.

joetothemo - You may have hit upon the answer. The first two were mellow, no hot taste and a good mix of malty/bread with a hop finish.

The next three were all placed in the fridge and drank about 4-6 hours later. That's the problem - I bet. Just found a similar reply on another topic regarding bottle condition...

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/bottle-conditioning-236964/#post2799887

So, when I get home, I'll place a few in the fridge and try them again this weekend.

 

[joetothemo]

Cold conditioning works wonders. But be sure the beer is done bottle conditioning first. Otherwise you will just be trapping and preserving that young beer taste.