First Brew...

[jmm20010]

I just got a taste of my first beer which came with my kit and was called a light ale with 6 lbs light malt extract 1.5 oz cascade hops 1/2 lb crystal malt and 1 pack of ale yeast for a 5 gallon batch. I left it in the fermenter for 4 weeks and I tasted after being bottled for 1 week. (I understand the beer will change in the next 2 weeks). THe beer tasted almost sweet to me and seemed a little dark for a "light ale." I am wondering if I should have not fermented for soo long and also if I had put the beer in a second carboy (removing the yeast) that if this would have helped at all.

 

[Ranman481]

Here is the real question...Did you like it? Who cares how dark it turned out! Use a hydrometer to guage how long fermentation takes. I use a secondary (carboy) mainly for clarity of the beer. Personally, I prefer sweeter less hoppy ales. If you liked how it tasted, thats all that matters. If you prefer a brew that is less sweet then adjust your recipe ro brew a different recipe. The bottom line is to enjoy the process.

 

[beerman0001]

Fermentation time was great. Did you do this a a partial boil and add all the extract in at the beginning? If you did that is why it will be darker and a little sweeter.

 

[ludomonster]

The "Light" colors have a wide range. You're probably just thinking it should be a a straw or pale color because of the colors of Lite Lagers. This sounds like an easy going summer beer.

 

[jmm20010]

Fermentation time was great. Did you do this a a partial boil and add all the extract in at the beginning? If you did that is why it will be darker and a little sweeter.

Yes, that is what I did.