Flat and Flavorless, can it be revived?

[cbc818]

Hello,

This was the beer I attempted to make:
https://www.mrbeer.com/rhapsody-on-blue-recipe
When I tasted it, it was flat and flavorless. I read in an article somewhere that my most likely culprit was the fermentation wasn't completed and that if I take the bottles out and add some more yeast and let it sit out for another 2 weeks it could possibly fix the problem. I wanted to check to ensure it'd work so I'm not spinning my wheels for nothing. If necessary I can provide how much sugar I used for it.

Thank you in advance!

 

[Jag75]

Link doesn't work for me . What was your ingredients and process ?

 

[cbc818]

Link doesn't work for me . What was your ingredients and process ?

1 Can Grand Bohemian Czech Pilsner Brewing Extract (HME)

1 Packet of Dry Brewing Yeast (Under the Lid of the Brewing Extract)

1 Packet of BrewMax LME Golden

1 Packet of No-Rinse Cleanser

1 Can of Blueberries in Light Syrup

Dextrose Priming Sugar (need to look up exact quantities after work)

 

[Jtvann]

Can you list out how you used the ingredients?

How much water did you use, did you boil it at all ... or how long etc.

 

[cbc818]

Can you list out how you used the ingredients?

How much water did you use, did you boil it at all ... or how long etc.

4 cups of water (tap), brought to a boil

 

[Jag75]

4 cups of water (tap), brought to a boil

I'm thinking we have a miscommunication thing going on here lol. 4 cups isn't near enough .

Size of batch ?

How much water was boiled for the extract , then how much topped off ?

What was your OG compared to the kits instructions?

What yeast was used ?

What temp was held during fermentation?

When did you add the blueberry ?

Did you check via hydrometer to ensure restart of fermentation was complete ?

How much priming sugar was used during bottling?

What temp were the bottles kept and how long have they been bottled ?

 

[cbc818]

Oh lol sorry I misread your message. Here's all the instructions which I believe I followed to the letter


1. Remove the yeast packet from under the lid of the can of Brewing Extract, then place the unopened can and BrewMax LME in hot tap water.

2. In your sanitized blender, purée the can of fruit with the syrup, and set aside to add later.

3. Using the measuring cup, pour 4 cups of water into your clean 3-quart or larger pot. Bring this mixture to a boil, then remove from heat.

4. Open the can of Brewing Extract and BrewMax LME and pour the contents into the hot mixture in your pot. Stir until thoroughly mixed. This mixture of unfermented beer is called wort.

5. Fill your fermenter with cold tap water to the mark 1 on the back. If using any other fermenter this would be approximately 1 gallon of water.

6. Pour the wort into your fermenter, and then bring the volume of the fermenter to mark 2 by adding more cold water. (If you have a different fermenter top it off with cold water to the 8.5-liter mark).

7. Add in the fruit purée from your blender.

8. Stir your wort mixture vigorously with your sanitized spoon or whisk.

9. Sprinkle the gold yeast packet into the keg, and screw on the lid. Do not stir.

Put your fermenter in a location with a consistent temperature between 68° and 78° F (20°-25° C), and out of direct sunlight. Ferment for 21 days.

 

[Jag75]

The only thing I can see that would decrease the blueberry is adding it right away . I add fruit at the tail end of fermentation.

 

[cbc818]

The only thing I can see that would decrease the blueberry is adding it right away . I add fruit at the tail end of fermentation.

Good to know! I appreciate the advice!

 

[RM-MN]

When I tasted it, it was flat and flavorless. I read in an article somewhere that my most likely culprit was the fermentation wasn't completed and that if I take the bottles out and add some more yeast and let it sit out for another 2 weeks it could possibly fix the problem.

Take the bottles out from where? Refrigerator? If so, that could help with carbonation. Did you add sugar when bottling to provide the carbonation? How long did the bottles sit at room temp after you bottled?

Blueberry is a very difficult flavor to add to beer. The flavor is subtle and gets lost in the flavor of the beer. A good quality of blueberry extract added at bottling time can help.

 

[cbc818]

Yes the article said to take the bottles out of the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for another two weeks. I added the sugar when bottling and they sat for 2 weeks.

 

[ncbrewer]

Besides the tips given here, I recommend reading the Brewing With Malt Extract section here: Brewing With Malt Extract - How to Brew - It will help you get a better understanding of the process. Some of it is getting outdated, but it still has lots of good information.