First Brew Ever (Extract) - Your thoughts please

[mhurst111]

Thanks Mhurst. The other concern I have is that I added an ounce of cascade at 1 min, and I have now read in Palmer's book that very late addition hops or flameout hops can cause a grassy flavor. The aroma coming from the airlock is a bit grassy now. I'm hoping that some time in the bottle will diminish that.

I'm also not getting any malt aroma currently, and I think that will change. Time will tell, right?

This is the point at which i say RDWHAHB, although since this is your first batch, you can't quite do that, so just relax, don't worry and have a beer.

There are tons and tons of recipes that call for hops late in the boil or at flame out. As you mentioned, time will tell. It all comes down to personal preference - It might be something you really love or it might be something you want to change next time you brew.

The only way to tell is to keep playing with a recipe (make it just like last time except omit the hops at 1 min OR double the amount of hops at 1 min OR change the hops from Cascade to Citra or some other hop). That is the joy (and source of frustration for some) of this hobby.

 

[fosaisu]

So my question is, will slightly higher temps in the swamp cooler (70-72) during the yeast's clean up phase have a negative impact on flavor, or are temp-driven off flavors caused during active fermentation and not clean-up?

I think this should be fine (and some would say beneficial for the "cleanup"). But I would recommending not letting it get too hot -- I had several batches that were at an OK temp for the first few days of fermentation, but then got up into the mid-80s during a crazy heat-wave, and they ended up tasting not so good.

Thanks Mhurst. The other concern I have is that I added an ounce of cascade at 1 min, and I have now read in Palmer's book that very late addition hops or flameout hops can cause a grassy flavor. The aroma coming from the airlock is a bit grassy now. I'm hoping that some time in the bottle will diminish that. I'm also not getting any malt aroma currently, and I think that will change. Time will tell, right?

I do large hop additions at 1 min/flameout in my Pale Ales and IPAs all the time and haven't noticed any "grassy" flavors. I think you'll be just fine. I also wouldn't sweat the smell coming from the airlock, in my experience that's not necessarily indicative of what the beer will smell/taste like.

 

[Brif]

Ok, so it appears that primary fermentation has ended. (It's been 12 full days since airlock activity began, i think due to the high OG of 1.077), and I think things are looking pretty good, fingers crossed.

I'm not dry hopping, so my plan is to avoid transferring to secondary and to just let this sit still for another week, let the yeast clean up some, let the beer clear some more, then rack from here to bottling bucket for priming/ bottling sometime next weekend.

Does that sound like a reasonable plan?

 

[fosaisu]

Ok, so it appears that primary fermentation has ended. (It's been 12 full days since airlock activity began, i think due to the high OG of 1.077), and I think things are looking pretty good, fingers crossed.

I'm not dry hopping, so my plan is to avoid transferring to secondary and to just let this sit still for another week, let the yeast clean up some, let the beer clear some more, then rack from here to bottling bucket for priming/ bottling sometime next weekend.

Does that sound like a reasonable plan?
View attachment 228428

Sounds reasonable to me! For a standard beer I usually shoot for about 3 weeks in the ferment then bottle/keg, and sounds like you're right on track for that. Just to confirm you're keeping that carboy covered when not taking pics, right? Important to keep sunlight away from the beer to avoid off flavors ("skunking").

 

[Brif]

You mention "for a standard beer", does that mean that with my high OG of 1.077 that it could use more time on the yeast?

Yes, carboy has been covered with a black t-shirt in a dark closet for entire fermentation.

(Also forgot to mention that I will certainly be taking a few gravity readings before bottling)

 

[mhurst111]

You mention "for a standard beer", does that mean that with my high OG of 1.077 that it could use more time on the yeast?

Yes, carboy has been covered with a black t-shirt in a dark closet for entire fermentation.

(Also forgot to mention that I will certainly be taking a few gravity readings before bottling)

Your plan sounds fine. 3 weeks on yeast will be fine even with your OG. Only thing I would add (if you can) is a cold crash step. After FG is stable, put the carboy someplace where temp is 40-50 degrees if you can. Outside or a garage is fine. You will get clearer beer with this step. Not needed, but if you can, I recommend it.

 

[Brif]

unfortunately I don't have a space large enough in a fridge to cold crash. I thought about getting a one gal apple juice jug or two to use for small batches and cold crashing at least a portion of my 5 gal batches, but I don't know how much apple juice I can drink in a week. Maybe I'll just get one jug this week (and an appropriate stopper) and just rack then cold crash one gal of my total 3.25 gal volume. I think my fridge is around 40f.

When you cold crash, how long do you do it for? a full week? Or, should I rack that one gallon to the jug a few days before I plan to bottle what stays in the primary?

thanks

 

[mhurst111]

unfortunately I don't have a space large enough in a fridge to cold crash. I thought about getting a one gal apple juice jug or two to use for small batches and cold crashing at least a portion of my 5 gal batches, but I don't know how much apple juice I can drink in a week. Maybe I'll just get one jug this week (and an appropriate stopper) and just rack then cold crash one gal of my total 3.25 gal volume. I think my fridge is around 40f.

When you cold crash, how long do you do it for? a full week? Or, should I rack that one gallon to the jug a few days before I plan to bottle what stays in the primary?

thanks

If you don't have space, I would say don't mess with moving just part of it. IMO, the risk of oxidation would out way the benefit.

I typically cold crash for 2 days, but only when it's cold outside and i just leave it on the porch or in the garage.

As I said, in your case, i would skip it and just bottle.

Now - what to do with a gallon of Apple Juice is answered here -
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f25/man-i-love-apfelwein-14860/

 

[Brif]

Took a gravity reading last night and its now at 1.016. Used the outer tube of my auto siphon as a thief, which was a Pain but worked. I was really careful about sterilizing everything. Now this morning there is evidence of some renewed airlock activity, and the top if the beer looks a little different. The beer tasted good last night, strong but good, but now I'm a little worried about an infection.

 

[Btaz]

I cant get the spreadsheet to come up...getting "Not Found" error.

I did like the detailed process and will save that.

the link should be fixed.

 

[mhurst111]

Took a gravity reading last night and its now at 1.016. Used the outer tube of my auto siphon as a thief, which was a Pain but worked. I was really careful about sterilizing everything. Now this morning there is evidence of some renewed airlock activity, and the top if the beer looks a little different. The beer tasted good last night, strong but good, but now I'm a little worried about an infection.
View attachment 229075

Those look like yeast 'rafts'. For 1.077 to 1.016, you have a 9-10% beer. I don't have a calculator, so that is a guess. Gonna be hard to have an infection in that high of abv. Check gravity on Tuesday. If still at 1.016, you are ready to bottle.

 

[chuckcomm]

the link should be fixed.

Yes and thank you!!

 

[Brif]

The yeast rafts that mhurst111 mentioned do not seem to be a problem.

Tested gravity again last night and it had gone down again to 1.015

Will test again tomorrow night before attempting to bottle.

When I tasted the gravity sample, tehre was not enough bitterness to balance the sweetness, which doesnt surprise me much, given my hop addition issues during boil.

I was however surprised by how boozy the beer tasted. Temps never go that high during primary. It is an 8.2% beer, but boy did it taste boozy. Also no hop aroma or flavor to speak of, which may contribute to the boozyness?

 

[brew_ny]

The yeast rafts that mhurst111 mentioned do not seem to be a problem.

Tested gravity again last night and it had gone down again to 1.015

Will test again tomorrow night before attempting to bottle.

When I tasted the gravity sample, tehre was not enough bitterness to balance the sweetness, which doesnt surprise me much, given my hop addition issues during boil.

I was however surprised by how boozy the beer tasted. Temps never go that high during primary. It is an 8.2% beer, but boy did it taste boozy. Also no hop aroma or flavor to speak of, which may contribute to the boozyness?

carbonation and time will change the taste

all the best

S_M

 

[Brif]

Ok homebrewers, first batch is bottled. Bottling system needs lots of tweaking...LOTS, but the next run will go WAY smoother. The tasting today is way different from a few days ago. Maybe because its 2:30am and I'm exhausted, but the boozy ness has subsided significantly, and bitterness has jumped forward, which is nice, because it needs that to balance the sweetness. I know it will change again in the bottle, but it tastes good tonight. Still no hop aroma to speak of, but well see. I put some in 12 oz, some in pints, and one bomber to see if any noticeable differences.

Thanks to everyone for all the advice, tips, etc. ill provide a review of the beer when it's ready to drink.

 

[fosaisu]

Ok homebrewers, first batch is bottled. Bottling system needs lots of tweaking...LOTS, but the next run will go WAY smoother. The tasting today is way different from a few days ago. Maybe because its 2:30am and I'm exhausted, but the boozy ness has subsided significantly, and bitterness has jumped forward, which is nice, because it needs that to balance the sweetness. I know it will change again in the bottle, but it tastes good tonight. Still no hop aroma to speak of, but well see. I put some in 12 oz, some in pints, and one bomber to see if any noticeable differences.

Thanks to everyone for all the advice, tips, etc. ill provide a review of the beer when it's ready to drink.

Yes, let us know how it tastes when it's all carbed up! The carbonation will temper the sweetness as well.