Darker after boil

[bmantzey]

I'm fermenting a lager right now that's supposed to be 3.5 SRM according to the recipe. I followed the recipe as closely as I could and when I sparged, the wort looked pretty close to that 3.5 SRM mark, so I was happy about that.

However, after I boiled, it became noticeably darker. I don't think I boiled the hell out of it, but maybe I boiled it a little too hard. Would I be better off to boil it gently as possible and be patient as it boils down to where I need it, or is some other factor I haven't thought of causing this darkening effect?

I'm using a cheap turkey fryer burner and a propane tank for my boil. I can't imagine how it would really matter vs. a more expensive "hurricane burner" or whatever.

 

[jvlpdillon]

Two thoughts.

One this will look darker in bulk. Get into the glass and see.

All-Grain or Extract? Extract is usually darker than All-Grain.

 

[bmantzey]

All grain. I thought about that too, about it looking darker in bulk. I guess we'll have to wait and see. Thanks.

 

[devilishprune]

Well it should be a bit darker post boil. During the course of the boil you're concentrating all those sugars and coloring stuff and boiling out the water. That being said, I'm sure that it will be fine in the glass!

 

[Golddiggie]

Could be seeing hop particles/trub still in suspension...

I usually just ignore the color of the wort while it's fermenting... A batch I just bottled last week was really dark while fermenting, and even darker in the carboy. In the hydrometer sample tube it looked so damned good (in line with what I was hoping for too)... A bit lighter than Beer Smith indicated too. Although it could be closer to target in the pint glass.