Headache in a bottle remedy??

[storytyme]

I have just arrived on the home brewing scene and I love it. I especially love hops and IPAs. I have only brewed 6 batches and two of those were IPAs with one being an Imperial IPA. They turned out great, but if I'm not careful a headache is guaranteed. I know one solution is to not drink them, but that is not going to happen anytime soon. I just wanted to know if there is a common beginner error that causes batches to do this? Or is my IPA so damn good that it is worth it???. Just thought I would throw this out there and see what people thought. Thanks in advance. By the way I currently do extract. 5 gal partial boils.

Cheers

 

[daksin]

Well, if your headaches are hangover related, then the solution is to drink less beer and more water. If they're not hangovers, I've gotten headaches from fusel alcohols (higher alcohols than ethanol) which are usually created when you ferment your beer too warm. Do a quick search for fermentation temperature control to find out the cheap and easy ways to keep your fermenting beer cool. That's a very common beginner mistake.

 

[F250]

Basically what Daksin said.

What temp do you ferment at?

Rick

 

[Nightshade]

Basically what Daksin said.

What temp do you ferment at?

Rick

and what yeast strain are you using as well?

 

[baulz]

Well, if your headaches are hangover related, then the solution is to drink less beer and more water. If they're not hangovers, I've gotten headaches from fusel alcohols (higher alcohols than ethanol) which are usually created when you ferment your beer too warm. Do a quick search for fermentation temperature control to find out the cheap and easy ways to keep your fermenting beer cool. That's a very common beginner mistake.

Jeez, always drink more beer. After each IPA, drink a lager to dilute it in your belly.

 

[RainyDay]

If its a quantity issue, lots of water and take an Excedrin before bed.

 

[beergolf]

A couple of things. The brews youbare brewing may be of higher ABV than you are used to. If you are liking the taste, you maybbe drinking more thanyou are used to.

The other main causes of headaches is fusel alcohols from to hot fermentation temps.

 

[hanson95]

The other main causes of headaches is fusel alcohols from to hot fermentation temps.

So, how hot is too hot? Would fermenting an ale yeast at around 70-72 cause fusel alcohols (it was supposed to ferment at 65)? Or does it need to be significantly higher

 

[storytyme]

Thanks for the replies. Fermentation temps were good (65-68ish). Just thought something may of been off. Definitely used to that kind of beer and sometimes on a Friday night after a long week the glass of water gets forgotten. No hangovers just a little headache. As a matter of fact I think I will have one now.....

Cheers

 

[beergolf]

So, how hot is too hot? Would fermenting an ale yeast at around 70-72 cause fusel alcohols (it was supposed to ferment at 65)? Or does it need to be significantly higher

If the ambient temp was 70-72 the ferment temp could be much higher. The best thing to do is ferment in the lower recomened range for your yeast. As you get to the high end of the range the temp can easily get out of hand. If you are at the low end the yeast will bring the temp up a few degrees (3-5 degrees) . If you are at the high end then the heat from the yeast can take it well over the top (8-10 degrees ) So fermenting at 70-72 ambient can produce ferment temps at close to 80. This will definitely cause fusels with a lot of ale yeasts.

 

[hanson95]

Thanks for the info, beergolf. I guess I need to consider a fermentation fridge...

 

[jonmohno]

Dont drink more than 4-5.Imperials stick to a few.It's really mostly a matter of quantity,but drink water inbetween,dont take aspirin garbage,its worse for your liver anyway,water is better,also b-vitamin complex or the yeast sludge at the bottom of your homebrews-it contains some anti-headache remedy in it. Good luck. Eat better.