Hi,
I know this question has been asked before and I have read up on here and other sites but I am still uneasy about my brew, the reason I am posting is because this is my 2nd brew and I fear that is going down the road of my first which was undrinkable.
My first home brew was a coopers brew kit (top hat bucket no air lock) while brewing I got some strange smells from it and when tasting a harsh vinegar flavor. I cracked on and after 7+ days I got a the FG settled and bottled the beer * I did not sterilize the bottles and probably did a poor job on the new kit *
When I went to try the beer I found it to be far far to vinegary to drink and I have kept it and used it to cook but even a year on it is still foul to drink.
I talked with a bartender at my local craft brew pub and was told it could be a bacteria infection or caused by a vinegar fly that where around a lot in my area at the time. * the bartender i talked to has now setup his own brewery and is supplying said pub so i trust him.
So now over a year later I decided to try again with the same kit I have but trying coopers real ale *mash?
This time I did sterilize everything very carefully but the same fly's have been about again recently. I am once again concerned, I have just tested my beer for FG on the 7th day and the smell seemed off and when i tasted after taking the measurement I got the Vinegary taste again.
Detail
I used tap water, non boiled - i don't think chlorine is an issue.
dry yeast - sprinkled on top and left as per instructions
started on 6/11/13
og 1033
fg pt 1 - 1003 *today 12/11/13
I added the yeast as per instructions so temps where between 21 and 27 Celsius
I have been keeping the beer between 21-27 as best I can the last 7 days but I fear it may of dipped below 21 to around 20 so I added some blankets ect to help keep the heat in sat it next to the radiator add a bit of warmth in the evening.
So I wanted a bit of advice in general but also on the following.
1. should I be concerned?
2. I have read that I should keep the beer in the primary fermenter for 3 weeks before bottling (instructions say 6 then test FG till it settles then bottle) so should I just leave it for now.
3. If the beer is spoiled again how can i avoid this a 3rd time.
Sorry if this is asking the same questions others have asked.
I know this question has been asked before and I have read up on here and other sites but I am still uneasy about my brew, the reason I am posting is because this is my 2nd brew and I fear that is going down the road of my first which was undrinkable.
My first home brew was a coopers brew kit (top hat bucket no air lock) while brewing I got some strange smells from it and when tasting a harsh vinegar flavor. I cracked on and after 7+ days I got a the FG settled and bottled the beer * I did not sterilize the bottles and probably did a poor job on the new kit *
When I went to try the beer I found it to be far far to vinegary to drink and I have kept it and used it to cook but even a year on it is still foul to drink.
I talked with a bartender at my local craft brew pub and was told it could be a bacteria infection or caused by a vinegar fly that where around a lot in my area at the time. * the bartender i talked to has now setup his own brewery and is supplying said pub so i trust him.
So now over a year later I decided to try again with the same kit I have but trying coopers real ale *mash?
This time I did sterilize everything very carefully but the same fly's have been about again recently. I am once again concerned, I have just tested my beer for FG on the 7th day and the smell seemed off and when i tasted after taking the measurement I got the Vinegary taste again.
Detail
I used tap water, non boiled - i don't think chlorine is an issue.
dry yeast - sprinkled on top and left as per instructions
started on 6/11/13
og 1033
fg pt 1 - 1003 *today 12/11/13
I added the yeast as per instructions so temps where between 21 and 27 Celsius
I have been keeping the beer between 21-27 as best I can the last 7 days but I fear it may of dipped below 21 to around 20 so I added some blankets ect to help keep the heat in sat it next to the radiator add a bit of warmth in the evening.
So I wanted a bit of advice in general but also on the following.
1. should I be concerned?
2. I have read that I should keep the beer in the primary fermenter for 3 weeks before bottling (instructions say 6 then test FG till it settles then bottle) so should I just leave it for now.
3. If the beer is spoiled again how can i avoid this a 3rd time.
Sorry if this is asking the same questions others have asked.