All - my first batch came out estery, and with uneven carbonation. But i had an awesome time, and thought I learned my lessons.
My second batch is in primary for 2 weeks now. I took a reading after 10 days, and again on two weeks to see if I should bottle this weekend. First reading was just above expected FG, and tasted awesome, no off smells - smelled and tasted like a brown ale!
Second reading is at expected FG, and tastes good but has mild estery scent again! First time I didn't aerate enough and probably let fermentation get a little warm (maybe 72-74). This time I know I aerated pretty well and I got a stick-on thermometer, I know fermentation temp was always at most 70, closer to 67-68. Why on earth would the estery smell pop up, and pop up this late in fermentation? Also, the flavor was not particularly sweet (just a little sweet). Does a normal fermentation put off estery odors towards the end, even if the off flavor won't be there? Finally, is it better to check again to see if it's at the same gravity this weekend and bottle to avoid any chance of further off flavors, or better to let it sit an extra week or two and hope it falls out?
I know, I know, RDWHAHB - but I want to learn from this so batch 3 has no problems, or at least has a new, different problem
Using White Labs WLP-013
My second batch is in primary for 2 weeks now. I took a reading after 10 days, and again on two weeks to see if I should bottle this weekend. First reading was just above expected FG, and tasted awesome, no off smells - smelled and tasted like a brown ale!
Second reading is at expected FG, and tastes good but has mild estery scent again! First time I didn't aerate enough and probably let fermentation get a little warm (maybe 72-74). This time I know I aerated pretty well and I got a stick-on thermometer, I know fermentation temp was always at most 70, closer to 67-68. Why on earth would the estery smell pop up, and pop up this late in fermentation? Also, the flavor was not particularly sweet (just a little sweet). Does a normal fermentation put off estery odors towards the end, even if the off flavor won't be there? Finally, is it better to check again to see if it's at the same gravity this weekend and bottle to avoid any chance of further off flavors, or better to let it sit an extra week or two and hope it falls out?
I know, I know, RDWHAHB - but I want to learn from this so batch 3 has no problems, or at least has a new, different problem
Using White Labs WLP-013