First Batch Ever and I need help.

[BrewnoMarzen]

Hey guys I brewed my first batch two weeks ago. Everything seemed to be going well. I was very conscious of the sanitization process and did my best to do exactly as the directions told. The first problem I ran into was I realized a couple days later that I pitched my yeast into the wort while it was hotter than recommended. I also was told ( I'm using white plastic food grade) that my bucket should be covered so no light whatsoever could get in after I had already had it sitting in the corner of my room(is rather dark and no light shines on it but wasnt covered up). I took a hydrometer reading at this point and it still read 1.041 so I pitched another bag of yeast and it's been a week now and the hydro reads 1.014 it's a red ale. My question is how do I tell if the beer is good and not spoiled? It seems like I messed up and the beer has taken a beaten and I don't want to go ahead and bottle it if it isn't good. I tasted it and it doesn't taste too bad but does have a weird flavor but I've read sometimes thats how it is until a beer has been conditioned for 4-6 weeks. Please help!!!

 

[Yooper]

Hey guys I brewed my first batch two weeks ago. Everything seemed to be going well. I was very conscious of the sanitization process and did my best to do exactly as the directions told. The first problem I ran into was I realized a couple days later that I pitched my yeast into the wort while it was hotter than recommended. I also was told ( I'm using white plastic food grade) that my bucket should be covered so no light whatsoever could get in after I had already had it sitting in the corner of my room(is rather dark and no light shines on it but wasnt covered up). I took a hydrometer reading at this point and it still read 1.041 so I pitched another bag of yeast and it's been a week now and the hydro reads 1.014 it's a red ale. My question is how do I tell if the beer is good and not spoiled? It seems like I messed up and the beer has taken a beaten and I don't want to go ahead and bottle it if it isn't good. I tasted it and it doesn't taste too bad but does have a weird flavor but I've read sometimes thats how it is until a beer has been conditioned for 4-6 weeks. Please help!!!

Well, it sounds fine! But if it has a "weird flavor", it could be a combination of things like using chlorinated water or a too-warm fermentation temperature. I'd let it sit another week, and then bottle it. Time and carbonation can do great things for beer!

 

[BrewnoMarzen]

Ok, thanks for the reply! I'm going to let it sit a bit longer and bottle it then. I used Poland spring water. I'm hoping for a drinkable beer! I've definitely learned a couple good lessons for my next batch!!

 

[JoyousRuction]

If this is your first batch of beer I would recommend taking a red ale that is similar to the recipe that you just brewed, popping it open and leaving it somewhere dark for a day or two until it is really really flat. Taste the flat commercial red ale and see how it compares to what you have in your fermenter. Carbonation adds a lot of acidity and that has a huge effect on beer flavor.

Also, time in the fermenter and time in a bottle will change the flavor of beer (that is the whole point of bottle conditioning). It might be worth bottling it after letting it sit and trying it in a month, at the very least it will be good to practice the bottling procedure.

 

[BrewnoMarzen]

Thanks for the advice joyous. I'm going to take your advice and try it out. I just so happen to have some troegs hopback which is pretty close to the recipe I used so I'll use that. Thanks a lot!!!

 

[jwags48]

good points. after you have brewed for a while you will learn how green beer should taste and if there is an off- flavor you will know it .....please cover that fermenter...

 

[daksin]

I'd be willing to bet you fermented a little warm. It may age out a little, though. Likely your beer just a little green and not ready yet. Next time try to make sure your beer (not the room temperature) is mid-low 60s F. Your next batch will be even better!

 

[BrewnoMarzen]

Hey thanks for all the help guys!! Ive been letting it sit and am going to bottle it very soon. It's starting to smell really good!!! I just realized when I posted that I had it in the corner of the room but "not covered up" I meant that I didn't have anything wrapped around the bucket to keep any possible light out. I have had the lid on the whole time thank god! I really appreciate all the input so far and I'm super glad I found this forum!! Jon